He fell without a word, stone dead.
Though the duel had been a fair one, and the _proces-verbal_ drawn up and agreed on both sides showed that all had been done loyally, the friends of the young Russian had influence to make the Greek Government not only recall the envoy, but abolish the mission itself.
For some years the Kostalergis lived in retirement at Palermo, not knowing nor known to any one.

Their means were now so reduced that they had barely sufficient for daily life, and though the Greek prince--as he was called--constantly appeared on the public promenade well dressed, and in all the pride of his handsome figure, it was currently said that his wife was literally dying of want.
It was only after long and agonising suffering that she ventured to write to her brother, and appeal to him for advice and assistance.

But at last she did so, and a correspondence grew up which, in a measure, restored the affection between them.

When Kostalergi discovered the source from which his wretched wife now drew her consolation and her courage, he forbade her to write more, and himself addressed a letter to Kearney so insulting and offensive--charging him even with causing the discord of his home, and showing the letter to his wife before sending it--that the poor woman, long failing in health and broken down, sank soon after, and died so destitute, that the very funeral was paid for by a subscription amongst her countrymen.

Kostalergi had left her some days before her death, carrying the girl along with him, nor was his whereabouts learned for a considerable time.
When next he emerged into the world it was at Rome, where he gave lessons in music and modern languages, in many in which he was a proficient.