When he found himself face to face with him, he said: 'if you are not a coward, you will give me one hour's liberty, and we will fight to the death; I hate you for this, I despise you for that'-- and so on.

The colonel accepted the challenge, and gave your father his liberty till the morrow.

The duel was a desperate one; the colonel was left for dead on the spot." "Merciful heaven!" "The general was yet wiping his sword, when a faithful friend came to him, and told him he had only just time to save himself.

In fact, he happily succeeded in leaving France--yes, happily--for a fortnight after, he was condemned to death as a conspirator." "What misfortunes, good heaven!" "There was some luck, however, in the midst of his troubles.

Your mother had kept her promise bravely, and was still waiting for him.