proudly not to seem betraying the weaker point of pride. This friend had accepted the title from a private soldier of his regiment; to be capable of doing whic

large dark eyes were set musing. The cast of it being such, sometimes in speaking of a happy play of artillery upon congregated masses, an odd effect was produced. Ordinarily, the clear features were reflective almost to sadness, in the absence of animation; but an exulting energy for action would now and then light them up. Hilarity of spirit did not belong to him. He was, nevertheless, a cheerful talker, as could be seen in the glad ear given to him by Robert. Between them it was "Robert" and "Percy." Robert had rescued him from drowning on the East Anglian shore, and the friendship which ensued was one chief reason for Robert's quitting the post of trooper and buying himself out. It was against Percy's advic

the time. It's better having him like that than one of your jerky fathers, who seem to belong to the stage of a theatre. Everybody respects my old dad, and I can laugh at what he thinks of m

ou tell him?

about Kent and drown t

, as far as my me

prehended perfectly this state of wil

't look as if she trifled. I've really never seen a fine

rifling in her case. She's frank

ed her in your let

m the first I was going to

truck h

't do qui

u say

question, for there was a woma

d more freely. Robert related the tale

makes me mad, and I can't hold back; and she's the sister of the girl you saw. By heaven! if it weren't for my head getting blind now when my blood boils, I've the mind to walk straight up to the

y in you," said Percy, "which would sto

think me to blame in this case? One of those Mr. Blancoves-not the one you've heard of-struck me on the field before a lady. I bore it. It was part of what I'd gone out to meet. I was riding home late at night, and he stood at the corner of the lane, with an old enemy of mine, and a sad cur that is! Sedgett's his

nd simple: but down in these old parts again, I catch at old habits; and I'm always a worse man when I haven't seen you for a time. Sedgett, say. Sedgett, as I pa

on the snow. The horse was gone. I just managed to reel along to this place, where there's always a home for me. Now, will you believe it possible? I went out next day: I saw Mr. Edward Blancove, and I might have seen a baby and felt the

t a deliberately ca

hear more

claim to challenge a

s Mr. Blancove helped, or instigated th

a doubt t

t plain

ircumstantia

to believe nothing against a gentleman until it is flatly proved-when we drum him out of the

d," sai

cept his cod

h against duelling, or any kind of man-to-ma

preacher against it. I think you know my opinions; and they are not quite those of the English magistrate, and other mild persons who are wrathful at the practice upon any pretence. K

's the guilty m

lled upon to

ife down here, I could beg his pardon. This one's eye met mine. I saw it wouldn't have stopped short of murder-opportunity given. Why? Because I pressed on the right spring. I'm like a woman in seeing some things. He s

," said Ma

ressed

rimson ribbon ro

the image f

her way. Of course, the nature and value of a man is shown by how he takes this sort of pain; and hark at me! I'm yelling. I thought I was cured. I looked up into the eyes of a lady ten times sweeter-when?-somewhen! I'

mind! Her life where that creature sets her heart! But, for me, not a penny of comfort! Now for a whole week of her, day and n

go. Yes; but what eyes she has under them! And if she looks tender, one corner of her mouth

r had not fallen into a pit. I couldn't. I was an idiot. I thought I wouldn't be a hypocrite. I might have said I believed as she did. There she stood ready to be t

I am to gabble on in this wa

, with soft footste

ced chiding Robert gently, to establi

hey take; and the doctor's their foe, and health they despise; and since this cruel blow, obstinacy do s

when friends meet, ma

idow, "if it wouldn'

ow, mother,"

red, and Robert

an t

ou, or your friend; to whom perhaps I shall better be able to certify how unfounded is the charge you bring against me. I will call upon you at the Pilot Inn, where I hear that you are s

a

S

obedi

d Blan

the lines with a c

r and open,"

"here's what answers him. What sha

ur friend will meet h

ey escaping. "I'm

cases. You must leave it to me. This will

at gentlemen are always, somehow, stopped

ds it so easy that he can walk into it, or he gives it up in despair as unas

ie to you

ver that he has spoken false

e, Pe

dict. But when he becomes answerable to me, his honour, in the convent

ercy, will you put it to him at the end of your fist-'Did you deceive the girl, and do you know where the girl now is?' Why, great h

y talk like a woman. I will state your suspicions. When I have done so, I am bou

punish him by and by, but to tear the secret out

your system. It's the primitive action of an appeal to the god of combats

f the lady up at Fairly. Come! things get clearer. If she knows where Dahlia is, who told her? This Mr. Algernon-not Edward Blancove-was seen wi

Major Waring asked,

. Lo

Major Waring

, under his breath. "

di

t know,

he a

at I've

ribe

ns, and very justly concluded by saying that he could give no

his fingers through his hair, clutching it in a knot, as he sat eyeing the red chasm i

im. In that matter, his natural delicacy and his deference to Percy had always checked him from sounding the subject closely. He might be, as he

uld have the girl's address:-gave you that pledge of her word?" Percy

her, and her effort to be a peacemaker, but ma

ercy interjected.

r saw in my life," was

t his forehead, as in

he way, this Mrs. Lovell has small hands, has she? I mean, peculiarly small? Did you notice, or not? I may know her. Never mind. Write to the man. Say-don't write down my name-say that I will meet him." Percy spoke on as in

and paper, and did as he was bidden, with all the punctilious obedi

tering simply that he was incapable of writing except when he was in a passion, he managed to produce what, in Percy's eyes, were satisfactory epistles, though Robert had horrible mis

the afternoon, and Robert assured him that Mrs. Lovell had given him her w

ve heard in

ds burning inside

s, and their welcome was from Mistress Anne, whom Major Waring had not power to melt; the mome

y left the farm, "your aunt is of

ith hot blood, and the old lady's is like frozen milk. She's right in her way, I

ence as their due. She had exerted herself to spread a neat little repast for Major Waring, and waited on the friends herself;

melling cigars, and drinks coffee made in his own way. He's very

d making that pretence at the controlling of her bosom which precedes a feminine storm. Her indignation was caused by a communication

lled her Hebrew woman-eye-for

d outside the chances. That's my idea. I wouldn't go out of my way to kick them-not I!

examining the handwriting of the superscription to the letter. His face was flushed as he tossed it for Robert

ure, and Mrs. Lovell can only remark, that she is pained if she at all misled Mr. Eccles in what she either spoke or promised. She is not aware that she can be of any service to him. Should such an occasion prese

hat woman writing, they're two different creatures- upon my soul, they are! Quick, sharp, t

who took the letter in his hand and seemed to stu

he observed. "We will go to churc

," Robert protested. "I have

id Percy. "It's a good

ut me-and the people up at Fairly!" Robert burst out in horror of the prospect. "I shall be a sight amo

penance," sai

u meani

ten times greater on

rring to some idea of mocking

Church," he said. "I d

by 'The Family,' as we say in our parts

I hate so much. Go, and sit, and look sheepish, and sing hymns with the people I've been

Come; it won't do you any harm to make an appointment to meet your conscience now and then. You will nev

n that topic. Robert looked forw

stood alone in his bed-room, and, drawing aside the