The herald., 1898-06-12

| easy Oh the subject OI Quelllng. l wish
to say here that also believe, had he
been fully convinced that duelling was
wrong, he would have declined to fight
no matter what the consequences had
been; for 1 never knew a man with
more moral courage. But at the time
although his views were changing on
the subject, they were not wholly
changed.
Mr.. Buxton, without noticing Giles
speech, coughed once or twice, and then
waited two or three minutes before
giving the word.
The summer sun shone brilliantly,
turning the distant river to a silver
ribbon. A thrush rioted musically in
the hawthorn hedge. All things spoke
of life and hope, but to my sinking
heart insensate Nature only Knocked
us. l heard, as in dream, the words
"One, two, three" slowly uttered by Mr..
Buxton, and saw, still as in a dream,
both men turn and raise their pistols.
Overton's was discharged first; then,
as he stood like a man in marble wait
ing for his adversary's fire, Giles raised
his pistol and, taking deliberate aim at
the bird still singing in the hedge,
brought it down. 1t was mere lucky
shot, but Overton took off his hat and
bowed to the ground, and Giles re-
sponded by taking off his hat and
showing a hole through the brim.
You see, Mr.. Glynn," said Overton,
Il have done according to my promise.
1t was not my intention to kill Mr..
Vernon, but only to frighten him.
which speech Mr.. Buxton and I con-
sidered as a set-off to Giles speech
just before shots were exchanged.
The two principals remained where
they were, while Mr.. Buxton and I re-
tired behind the hedge to confer-or
rather for Mr.. Buxton to say to me:
Another shot would be damned non-
sense. My man is satisfied, or shall be,
else l am Dutch trooper. Certainly
you have nothing to complain Of"
1 was only too happy to accept Of this
solution.
Then we advanced from behind the
hedge, and Buxton said:
Gentlemen, Mr.. Glynn and myself,
after comforting, have agreed that the
honor of our principals Is fully estab-
lished, and that the controversy Is
completely at an end. Allow me to
congratulate you both"-and there was
a general handshaking all around. 1
noticed that the coachman, who was
attentively watching the performance,
looked slightly disappointed at the
turn Of affairs.
Straightway, we all climbed into the
waiting chaises, and / think Ishall be
believed when I say that our return to
town was more cheerful than our de-
parture had been.
We all agreed to dine together at
Mivart's the next night, and 1 saw no
reason to believe that there was any
remnant of ill-feeling between the two
late combatants.
I returned to Berkeley square that
afternoon, with much uneasiness con-
cerning my meeting and future inter-
course with Lady Arabella; for had
not seen her since the occurrence in
Sir Peters study. Although my affec-
tion for her was forever killed by that
box on the ear she gave me, yet no
man can see woman shamed before
him without pain, and the anticipation
of Lady Arabellas feelings when she
saw me troubled me. But this was
what actually happened when we met.
Lady Arabella was sitting in the Chi
nese drawing-room, her lap-dog in her
arms, and surrounded by half dozen
fops. Lady Hawkshaw had left the
room for moment and Arabella had
taken the opportunity of showing her
trick of holding out her dogs paws and
kissing his nose, which she called
measuring love ribbon. This perform
ance never failed to throw gentlemen
into ecstasies. Daphne sat near, with
her work in her lap and book on the
table by her, smiling rather disdain-
fully. I do not think the cousins loved
each other. f-t
On my appearance In the drawing
room, scarcely dared look toward
Lady Arabella; but she called out IA
miliarly:
Come here, Dicky! Cher habit of call
ing me Dicky annoyed me very much)
and let me show you how I kiss Fldo $
nose; and If you are a good boy, and
will tell me all about the meeting this
morning, perhaps I may hold your
paws out and kiss your nose," at which
all the gentlemen present laughed
loudly. I never was so embarrassed in
my life. and it was increased when.
suddenly dropping the dog, she rushed
at me, seized my hands, and, holding
them off at full arms length, imprinted
sounding smack upon my nose, and
cried out, zone yard! (Smack on my
nose again.) Two yards! (Smack.)
Three yards!" fSmack.)
At this juncture recovered my pres
ence of mind enough to seize her
around the waist, and return her
smacks with interest full in the mouth.
And at this stage of the proceedings
Lady Hawkshaw appeared upon the
scene.
In an instant an awful hush fell upon
us. For my part I felt my knees sink
ing under me, and / had that feeling
Of mortal sickness which had felt in
my first sea-fight, and at the instant I
thought my friends life in jeopardy
Lady Arabella stood up, for once, con-
fused. The gentlemen all retired
gracefully to the wall, in order not to
interrupt the proceedings, and Daphne
fixed her eyes upon me, sparkling with
Indignation.
Lady Hawkshaw's voice, when she
spoke, seemed to come from the tombs
of the Pharaohs.
What is this 'countrytom 1 see?"
she asked. And nobody answered a
word.
James. the tall footman, stood behin,;
her; and to him she turned, saying in
tone like thunder,
"Jeames, go and tell Sir Peter Hawk
shaw that desire his presence imme-
diately upon a matter of greatest i'm
portance."
The footman literally ran down.
stairs, and presently Sir Peter came
putting up from the lower regions.
Lady Arabella had recovered herself
thor anon oil, n hum q LITTLE tl1na and to