The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1881-02-11

In consenting to see the generals rep
resentatives, It is needless to say that !
merely desired to avoid provoking an
other quarrel. If those persons were
really impudent enough to call at the
hotel, I had arranged to threaten them
with the interference of the police, and
so to put an end to the matter. Ro-
mayne expressed no opinion on the SUBJ
jeot, one way or the other. His conduct
inspired me with feeling of uneasiness.
The filthy insult Of which he had been
made the object seemed to be ranking
in his mind. he went away thought
fully to his own room. "Have you
nothing to say to me ?" 1 asked. He only
answered: "Wait till tomorrow"
The next day the seconds appeared.
had expected to see two Of the mes
with whom we had dined. To my as
enlistment, the visitors proved to b
'ficers Of the Generals regiment. Thes
brought proposals for a hostile meeting
the nart morning the choice Of weapnns
being left to Romayne as the challenged
man.
1t was now quite plain to me that the
Generals peculiar method OF card-play-
Ing had, thus far, not been discovered
and exposed. He might keep doubtful
company, and might-as afterwsrd
heard-be suspected in certain quarters.
But that he still had, formally speaking.
reputation to preserve, was proved by
the appearance of the two gentlemen
present as his representatives. They
declared, with tevident sincerity, that
Romayne had made fatal mistake. had
provoked the insult offered to him. and
had resented it by brutal and coward
ly outrage. As man and a soldier, the
General was doubly bound to insist on q
auel. No apology would be accepted
even if al apology were offered.
In this emergency, as I understood
it. there was but one course to follow.
! refused to receive the challenge
Being asked for my reasons, / found
It necessary to speak within certain
Limits. Though we knew the Gen eral
TO b} cheat, it was a..delicate matter to
dispute his right to claim satisfaction,
when he had found two officers to carry
bis message. Iproduced the seized cardl
(which Romayne had brought away with
him in his pocket and offered them ss q
'ormf '.h"' ---' - -
mistaken.
The seconds-evidently prepared foi
this circumstance by their principal
declined 70 examine the cards. In the
arst place, they said. not even the dis
sovery of foul play (supposingiths dis
,overy to have been really made) coul(
ustify Romayns's conduct. In thu
econd place, the Generals high oharas
Ter made it impossible, under any Oh
substances, that he could be responsi
BILE. Like ourselves. he had rashly ai
sociated with bad company. and he ha
been the innocent victim of an error Q
fraud committed by some other perso
. present at the table.
Driven to my last resource, l coul
aow only base my refusal to receive th
shallenge ON the ground that we We,
Englishmen, and that the practice {
iuoling had been abolished in England
Both the seconds at once declined 10 q
bept this statement In justification OF N
sonduet ~ A.
older OF the two, "where q duel Is u
. established remedy for an insult anon
! gentlemen. You are bound TO respe'
the social laws Of the,country in whic
you are for the time residing. Hyo
refuse to do SO, you lay yourselves ope
to q public imputation ON your courae
|, Of o nature too degrading to be mol
particularly alluded to. Let us adjou,
this interview for three hours on u
ground Of informality. We ought
confer with two gentlemen, acting {
Mr.. Romayne's behalf. Be prepare
with another second to meet Us, Al
rseonsider your decision before We CO
again.
The Frenchmen had barely taxi
their departure by one door. when r
msyne entered by another.
Ibsye heard il all" he said, quietl
"Accept the challenge"
] declare solemnly that ] left