Alfred de Rosann — page 105: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

96 ALFRED DE ROSANN. De Rosann and Markham now took their proper stations, and Belle-Rose stood at a little distance, making the third point of an imaginary right-angled triangle, of which the antagonists were the remaining two. And now all was ready—the foemen confronted each other—Belle-Rose inquired in a loud voice if they were prepared—both answered in the aflirma- tive, one boldly, the other tremulously—and the handkerchief fell to the ground. The shots were fired almost at the same instant—and neither De Rosann nor Markham were touched. After a lengthened discussion between the seconds, the pistols were charged again, and presented to the combatants. Markham declared in a whisper to Belle-Rose, that he was satisfied, and that he did not wish to renew the combat. But the soz-disant Count cut him short with an assurance, “ that he had too much regard for the honour of his principal to withdraw him, before he had either killed his man, or was winged himself.’” Markham ventured another remonstrance, and Belle- Rose declared that he should either fight, or renounce his friendship forever. ‘This assertion terminated the doubts and repugnance of the unfortunate Markham ; and Herbert stepped forward with the handkerchief in his hand, to occupy, in his turn, the spot which Belle-Rose had just left. The signal was given a second time, the pistols were again levelled against two human beings by each other, the report of the murderous weapons echoed loudly on the ear, and Markham fell wounded to the ground. The surgeon, who had waited at a little distance, and who had attentively watched the progress of the duel, now rushed forward like’a vulture on his prey, and proceeded to examine the fallen champion. The ball had grazed his right side, just above the hip ; but the wound was neither dangerous nor severe. De Rosann assisted Belle-Rose and Herbert to convey him to the carriage in which he had arrived ; and the surgeon walked by their side, holding forth, in a very learned discourse, n what might have been the results, if the COMICIOOKS(6OUL im