The Duellists Page #3

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I'm being seconded to

the staff of Marshal Bernadotte.

My appointment carries

the rank of major.

I'm to report for duty

in a fortnight...

and the colonel has granted me

a fortnight's leave.

I wish to consult you...

in the utmost confidence...

upon a fine point of honor.

Good-bye, Major.

Don't I know you well?

- You do.

- Yeah, I do know him well.

- D'Hubert.

- That's right.

I come to Lubeck,

and the town is humming with your name.

Why weren't you killed at Elshingham?

- That was my last news of you.

- It was a hard day for the regiment.

But nothing cures a duelist.

How is Martin?

More news gone astray.

He died of typhus...

in the epidemic last July.

I'm very sorry.

Were you married?

I never heard.

Yes.

Right at the end, poor boy...

for all the good it did.

A widow's weeds aren't much help

to a lady of the garrison.

So now I beg...

and strike up friendships.

Laura, go back to France.

There's only grief to be got

from following soldiers.

Martin said...

He said,

Go to that fool Armand.

He'll take you on again.

This time, he'll kill you!

We thought on horseback.

On horseback?

As a compliment to the cavalry.

Feraud has agreed.

The regiment expects it.

The regiment expects it?

I see.

We're now fighting this duel

as a compliment to the cavalry.

Like it or not,

you are a man of reputation.

A famous fire-eater.

It brings you responsibilities.

You must think of yourself

as fighting on parade.

Feraud has been boasting all day...

but the betting still holds

at even money.

I'm going to be killed...

responsibly on horseback...

as a compliment to the cavalry.

That's a useless sort of talk.

I'm not fanatical enough

to persevere in this absurdity.

If he so earnestly desires to kill me,

he will kill me.

Damn it, kill him.

That's absurd.

- Good morning.

- Good morning.

The combat should be well attended.

I hear that Lebrun

has given a breakfast party.

I hope the weather improves for them.

Do you think so?

Let me tell you my idea.

Gentlemen!

Prepare to advance!

Charge!

Captain Feraud has taken

a slight cut across the forehead.

And until the blood has stopped,

he can't see.

I regret the duel

must be discontinued.

Feraud was posted to Spain.

D'Hubert remained in northern Europe.

Six years later,

the emperor's grand army...

regrouped for Armageddon.

Listen, all of you!

That woods stinks with cossacks.

I want some volunteers.

Listen!

Volunteers.

All of you!

Volunteers.

I'll come with you.

Pistols next time?

By tomorrow, with luck,

we shall be across the Niemen.

I think we can risk

a little celebration.

Schnapps?

Did you ever speak to Napoleon?

As a matter of fact, I once

delivered him an important message.

Did he say thank you?

I suppose he did. I don't know.

It was very noisy at the time.

Was it right to send him to Elba?

Well, he couldn't share a palace

with King Louis, could he?

- Well, why not?

- Gilles! Hilaire!

Go on.

Do we have to go?

How is your leg today?

Progress is slow.

Come.

Sit and rest here.

I have plans for you.

Leonie, my life is yours.

It's my ambition to be known as the

old general who lives with his sister.

That is exactly what I feared.

It is therefore my ambition

to see you married...

as soon as is decently possible.

Keep quiet and pay attention.

The heiress from Valmassique...

the estate across the river...

is a sweet child called Adele.

Her parents are dead, and her uncle

has become the dearest friend of mine.

It will be the easiest thing

in the world to arrange...

and it will suit you admirably.

I know what you are thinking...

She is an ugly girl,

and she will make me miserable.

I assure you, she is far more

beautiful than you deserve...

and she will make you very happy.

You are at liberty to speak.

What color is her hair?

Raven-colored.

I have no further questions

at this time.

I am looking for

the Chevalier de Riverol.

General d'Hubert, I believe.

I have not hitherto been privileged

to meet a general of Bonaparte's army.

General of Brigade, sir.

And only recently promoted.

A mere imp of Satan. I cannot claim

to be one of his demons.

- You jest with me, sir.

- In a neighborly way.

Let me make you

a pair of boots.

In a neighborly way.

I would esteem it an honor.

Good boots are not an honor.

They're a pleasure.

About the time you were learning

to be a soldier...

I was learning to make boots.

I've supported myself

as a bootmaker.

Now that I'm an aristocrat

once more...

I have to drum up trade.

Sloth is the curse

of the aristocracy.

The Chevalier found you

vastly well read...

and he said you had

a very good leg.

I sound like a horse.

My God, I'm lucky

he didn't look at my teeth.

I do hate that swearing.

Don't you dare do it

in front of Adele.

- Have you seen her?

- No, I haven't.

Yes, you have.

Don't sulk. You have.

Isn't this marriage-broking

getting out of fashion?

Nothing sensible

goes out of fashion.

They're all coming over tomorrow

from Valmassique.

Meddle, meddle, meddle.

Nonsense.

General d'Hubert,

Mademoiselle de Valmassique.

Let me look.

Very handsome fellow.

They have golden eyes, you know.

- And jewels inside their heads?

- So I believe.

Were I a young man again...

rather than an old, lame creature...

I'd ask you to marry me.

Well, don't you want to

marry me now?

My dear, we both know

what's expected of us, don't we?

If I were to neglect

to make you a proposal...

no blame would be

attached to you.

I think perhaps

you might be saved from a...

sad, dull life.

If you neglect

to make me a proposal...

my uncle will go mad.

Damn it, you were not put on

this earth to coddle your uncle.

I have heard you do swear

most terribly.

Nonsense.

I'm a tempered man.

Tempered in my speech.

I love you.

Adele...

my dearest Adele...

it would make me very happy...

happy beyond expectation

if you would become my wife.

Yes.

- It was a fiasco.

- Nonsense.

She accepted you.

What else could she do?

Nothing, I should hope.

It was a proper, settled arrangement.

Oh, Armand...

in marriage, events of that kind

are not important.

A good marriage

settles down quietly...

like moss.

I've never heard a bad

word spoken about moss.

Moss?

Leonie, an unkind plot

has been laid against her.

Very well. If she's good

and biddable, she'll settle down.

But it's not fair.

She's young.

She has that magic.

You are in love?

- Yes, I'm in love.

- Well, then...

I can't be bothered with you.

Go and play billiards.

No cheating.

Go and play billiards.

Surely you will not turn down

the opportunity of a brigade.

The emperor is our hope

and strength.

We belong to him.

I have entertained

the notion that...

I may belong to myself.

It has been said that you

do not love the emperor.

- By whom?

- By General Feraud.

He knows you well, I believe.

General Feraud has made

occasional attempts to kill me.

That does not give him the right

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