He had hardly proceeded more than two or three paces, when De Wardes took aim at him as he was walking, and fired.

An exclamation of anger was De Guiche's answer; the comte's arm contracted and dropped motionless by his side, and the pistol fell from his grasp.

His anxiety was excessive.

"I am lost," murmured De Wardes, "he is not mortally wounded." At the very moment, however, De Guiche was about to raise his pistol against De Wardes, the head, shoulders, and limbs of the comte seemed to collapse.
He heaved a deep-drawn sigh, tottered, and fell at the feet of De Wardes's horse.
"That is all right," said De Wardes, and gathering up the reins, he struck his spurs into the horse's sides.

The horse cleared the comte's motionless body, and bore De Wardes rapidly back to the chateau.