The sun., 1897-10-31
SIMON DALE.
by ANTHONY HOPE.
CHAPTER V.
1AM rollnlnnEw ro roNaEr.

ducton 10 my new life. To start with duel
would have hurt mo little, but duel in such
cause and on behalf of such lady for should
seem to be fighting the battle Of one whose
name was past defendiniy) would make my rcpu-
tation ridiculous to the say and offensive to all
the moro decent people of the town. thought
enough on this sad side of the matter that night
at the inn, and despair would have made prey
OF me had not hoped to clear myself TO some
degree by the step which had determined.
For | was resolved TO abandon the aid in my
career that tho Kings unexpected favor had
offered, aud start nfrcsh for myself, FREQ from
the Illicit advantage OF place gained undc-
servcdy Yet: amid my chagrn, and in spits
OF my virtuous intentions, l found myself won.
dering that: Cydnrn had remembered; L will
not protest that | found no pleasure in the
Thought; n young man whose pride was not
touched by IL would have reached II higher sum.
init of severity or lower depth of lnscnsi.
bility than was mine Yet here also l had
made vows of remuneration concerning which
there naught to say. but that, while very
noble, they were in all Likelihood most un
called for. What would or could Cydaria be
to me nowl She flew at bigger game. She had
flung me kindly crumb of remembrance; she
would think that VIC were well quit, nay, that
was ovcrpaid for my bruised heart and dssi
patcd illusion.
1t was n fine, fresh morning when Mr. Oar.
carrying II pair of swords. Mr. Jer1nyn had
agreed to second my opponent, and was glad
to learn that the meeting was to be restricted to
the principals, and not, as too often occurred, to
cmbroil the seconds also in a scnscless quarrel.
Wo walked briskly, and crossing the Oxford
road at Hoborn, struck into the fields beyond
Montague House. We were first at the rem
devious but hud not long to wait before three
chairs appeared, containing Lord Carford, his
second. n
set down their burdens, withdrew some way Off
and we, being left to ourselves, made
preparations quickly as wo might, Darrell
especially urging speed, for it seemed that
rumor of the affair had'g got about tho town. and
he had no desire for spectators.
Now, although l desire to write without
malice, and to rcndcr fullest justice to those
whom had least cause to love. l am bound Ia
say that my Lord Carford seemed to be most
bitterly inCcnscd against me, whereas in
no way incenscd agr inst him. In the first in.
stance, he had offended without prcmcditation.
for he had not known who was. Ills subsc
quent insolcnce might find excuse in the per-
emptory phrasing of my demand for apology,
too curt, perhaps. for young and untried man.
Honor forced to fight, but nothing forced
me to hate, and l asked no better than that we
should both escape with as little hurt as tho
laws of the game allowed His mood was diff
ferent. He had been bearded, and was in amind
to give my beard n pull speak in q metaphor
for beardl had none-and possessing some repu-
tation as swordsman, he could not we'll afford
toilet me go untouched. An old sergeant of Gen.
Cromwells resident Mt Norwich, had instructed
me in the use of the foils, but was not my lord 5
equal and | set it down to my good luck and
his fury that came Off no worse than the event
proved. For he made at with great i'm.
pctuosity. and from beginning to end of the
affair / wholly concerned in defending my
self This much l achieved successfully for
some moments, and | heard Mr.. Jermyn say,
But he stands his ground we'll" Then came
n cunning fcint followed by fierce attack and
u sharp pang in my left arm. the shoulder,
while the sleeves OF my shirt went red in mo-
ment. The seconds dartcd in between us. and
Darrell caught me round the waist.
I'm glad it was worse" l whispered to
him with smile; then turned very sick and
the field started to go round and round me. For
some minutes knew nothing more, but when
revived the surgeon was busy in binding up my
arm. while the three gentlemen stood together
in group little way apart. My legs shook
under me- and doubtless was white my
mother best linen; but was very happy. feel
ing that my honor safe. and that had been
as it were. baptized of the company of gentle
men. so Mr. Iermyn second to think for wher
on again. with some pain and a siikcn sling un
der my elbow, he came and craved the surgcont
leave 10 carry me off to breakfast. The Request
was granted on a promise that should abstain
from inilamng food and from all strong liquors
Accordingly we set out, assembling a certain
surprise inspired in my countryman's mind b!
the discovery that my late enemy proposed Z
be of the party. Having come 10 II tavern il
Drury Lane, we were RECALLED very pleasantly
Mr. Jermyn although a small man and not il
himself in good esteem. recounting to us hi
adventures in love and his exploits on the iiel'
with distinguished courtesy, and was at los
to Ts his fhh"nfd h1r p ni it
the King had bestowed on me- As we grcv
ferred plainly to the matter, declaring that m
conduct showed the incest honor, and prayin
day until my wound should be fully cured. Hi
marked politenes5 and the frienditness OF tn tn
since the discovery of the evening before. an
when or meal was ended about ni3 ii ocl2cS'
was, not long before Cnrford and We're agal
zest. although on u different field.
I had been advised by Darrell to return Q
once to my inn, and there rest guictIy rnt y,
the et next day ~, lest W too ON much @ exorton sholl
induce a'feyer in me; and in obedience 70 b
iSS lane on my way way back @ % 10 covcn 6S tarien
lord Gnrford and Nj 1Grmyn had & gone m OF ,., 10
H narrciI S had SSg 10 Wait u" upon The =" sccrcay at
offices: therefore was alone. and, going easil
found fullS enough TO occupy Iny attention
the business and incredible Stir of the town.
Thought then aud think still that nowhere
as London; where Mere Siso has 'is lie spread for him
continual n banquet of contemplation; whe
else are such comedies played every hour Il
his eyes delight Ii is well enough to look
running river or to gaze at such might
mountains ~ | saw when journcyed man
years later inlo Italy, but the mountain mov
not ni thr srcuu runs always with the san
motion and in !1s wUntcd channel. Give
these for my age, but TO n young man n gre
city IS queen Of al,
50 was thnkin; rs / walked aong or SC
t!!L!: now that must have thought: for in WI
ing Ot MS youth II shard for q man 10 be sure III
lac docs not transicrto that golden page some
the u''icicr ChagHci"r5 whirh ltlor years print
his mind. I'crhHr, thought of nothing nj n
flvc that this man here was no fellow, III
girl there pretty w"l"h, thar my coat bccan
me well. and my wDuuira arm ;;HNC me
interesting air. BE my mcdilations what III
might, they were suddenly interrupted by {
sight of u crowd in the Lane Erur DE Cock u;
Pie tavern. Here MY sixty mon ard "
men, dtcynt folks sUnln others pOr'crs, now
girls, and such like, were gathered in n cir,