Officers who forget themselves so far as to seek each other's lives
upon the eve of battle, with the enemy before them, are unworthy of
command. This is matter for the provost marshal."

And the old soldier seated himself at the table, and eyed the
offenders angrily and sternly.

"May it please your excellency," said St. Prix, "I alone deserve to
suffer. I insulted the gentleman, and forced him to fight."

"Forced him to fight?" said the marshal. "Hadn't he read the orders of
the day?"

"I do not claim your clemency, marshal," said Henri. "I committed this
fault with my eyes open. But a man cannot always command his
passions."

"That's true, my lad. But what were you fighting about?"

"A woman, your excellency," said St. Prix.

"A woman! fools! a woman that's not to be had without fighting for
isn't worth having. Well, well--boys will be boys. I pardon you on two
conditions. In the first place, you must shake hands." Henri and Raoul
advanced and joined their hands. "And in the next place, that you give
a good account of yourselves to-morrow. _Sacre nom de Dieu_! I can ill
spare two lads of spirit from the guards. And now," said the marshal,
rising, after restoring their swords to the officers, "good night,
gentlemen; and plenty of hard knocks to-morrow."