The Duel: A novella by Anton Chekhov first published in 1891

Laevsky is a dissipated romantic given to gambling and flirtation. He has run off to the sea with another mans wife and quickly grown tired of her but two obstacles block his route to escape: he is broke and he faces the absolute enmity of Von Koren an arrogant zoologist and former friend who can no longer tolerate Laevskys irresponsibility. Soon Laevsky confronts Von Koren accusing him of meddling in his affairs but Von Koren maneuvers a criticism Laevsky makes of their mutual friend Dr. Samoylenko into a challenge to a duel.