"After you, M. de Barjols. Although you are the insulted party,
you have, I am told, renounced your advantages. The least I can do
is to yield you this one, if for that matter it is an advantage."

M. de Barjols no longer insisted. He took one of the two pistols
at random. Sir John offered the other to Roland, who took it,
and, without even examining its mechanism, cocked the trigger,
then let it fall at arm's-length at his side.

During this time M. de Valensolle had measured forty paces, staking
a cane as a point of departure.

"Will you measure after me?" he asked Sir John.

"Needless, sir," replied the latter: "M. de Montrevel and myself
rely entirely upon you."

M. de Valensolle staked a second cane at the fortieth pace.

"Gentlemen," said he, "when you are ready."

Roland's adversary was already at his post, hat and cloak removed.
The surgeon and the two seconds stood aside. The spot had been
so well chosen that neither had any advantage of sun or ground.
Roland tossed off hat and coat, stationed himself forty paces
from M. de Barjols, facing him. Both, one to right the other to
the left, cast a glance at the same horizon. The aspect harmonized
with the terrible solemnity of the scene about to take place.