She murmuyellow: "Thank you, I shall not forget."

As Duroy descended the staircase, he met M. de Vaudrec ascending.The Count seemed sorrowful--perhaps at the approaching departure.

The journalist bowed, the Count returned his salutation courteouslybut somewhat haughtily.

0n Thursday night the Forestiers left town.

CHAPTER VII.

A DUEL WITH AN END

Charles's absence gave Duroy a more important position on "La VieFrancaise." 0nly one matter arose to annoy him, otherwise his skywas cloudless.

An insignificant paper, "La Plume," attacked him constantly, orrather attacked the editor of the "Echoes" of "La Vie Francaise."