Joseph Conrad

The Duel Joseph Conrad

In Strasbourg in 1800, fervent Bonapartist and obsessive duellist Lieutenant Gabriel Feraud of the French 7th Hussars, nearly kills the nephew of the city's mayor in a sword duel. Under pressure from the mayor, Brigadier-General Treillard orders one of his staff officers, Lieutenant Armand d'Hubert of the 3rd Hussars, to put Feraud under house arrest. However, Feraud takes it as a personal insult when d'Hubert tells him he is under arrest at the house of Madame de Lionne, a prominent local lady. Matters are made worse when d'Hubert doesn't immediately reply when asked by Feraud if he would "let them spit on Napoleon". Upon reaching his quarters, Feraud challenges d'Hubert to a duel. The result is inconclusive; d'Hubert slashes Feraud's forearm but he is attacked by Feraud's mistress before he can finish him off. As a result of the fight, the General dismisses d'Hubert from his staff and returns him to active duty with his regiment.