Theothersstoodatgaze，scarceyetsuspectingthedriftofsomuchtalk。
\"Thereisapoorladyyonder，ofwhosefairnameabubbleisbeingblownandpricked。Idareswearthere\'snotawomanheredurstspeaktoher。Yetwhatachanceforonethatdared！Howfineatriumphwouldbehers！\"Hesighed。
\"Heigho！IalmostwishIwereawoman，thatImightmakethattriumphmineandmarkmysuperioritytothesepainteddollsthathaveneitherwitnorcourage。\"
TheLadyMaryrose，afaintcolorinhercheeks，asparkleinherfineeyes。AgreatjoyflashedintoMr。Caryll\'sinquickresponse；ajoyinher-shethoughtwithreadyvanity-andaheighteningadmiration。
\"Willyoumakeityours，asitshouldbe-asitmusteverbe-toleadandnottofollow？\"hecried，flatteringincredibilitytremblinginhisvoice。
\"Andwhynot，sir？\"shedemanded，nowthoroughlyaroused。
\"Whynot，indeed-sinceyouareyou？\"quothhe。\"ItiswhatIhadhopedinyou，andyet-andyetwhatIhadalmostfearedtohope。\"
Shefrowneduponhimnow，soexcellentlyhadhedonehiswork。
\"Whyshouldyouhavefearedthat？\"
\"Alas！Iamamanoflittlefaith-unworthy，indeed，yourgoodopinionsinceIentertainedadoubt。Itwasablasphemy。\"
Shesmiledagain。\"Youacknowledgeyourfaultswithsuchagrace，\"saidshe，\"thatwemustneedsforgivethem。Andnowtoshowyouhowmuchyouneedforgiveness。Come，children，\"
shebadehercousins-forwhoseinnocenceshehadmadeapologybutamomentback。\"Yourarm，Harry，\"shebeggedherbrother-in-law。
SirHarryobeyedherreadily，butwithouteagerness。InhishearthecursedhisfriendCaryllforhavingsetherontothis。
Mr。Caryllhimselfhunguponherotherside，hiseyestowardLadyOstermoreandHortensia，who，whilstbeingobservedbyall，werebeingapproachedbyfew；andthesefewconfinedthemselvestoanexchangeofgreetingswithherladyship，whichconstitutedaworseoffencetoMistressWinthropthanhadtheystayedaway。
Suddenly，asifdrawnbyhisardentgaze，Hortensia\'seyesmovedatlastfromtheirforwardfixity。HerglancemetMr。
Caryll\'sacrosstheinterveningspace。Instantlyhesweptoffhishat，andbowedprofoundly。Theactiondrewattentiontohimself。Alleyeswerefocusseduponhim，andbetweenmanyapairtherewasafrownforonewhoshoulddarethustoruncountertothegeneralattitude。
Buttherewasmoretofollow。TheLadyMaryacceptedMr。
Caryll\'ssalutationofHortensiaasasignal。Sheledthewaypromptly，andthelittlebandsweptforward，straightforitsgoal，rakedbythevolleysfromathousandeyes，underwhichtheLadyMaryalreadybegantogiggleexcitedly。
Thustheyreachedthecountess，thecountessstandingveryrigidinheramazement，toreceivethem。
\"IhopeIseeyourladyshipwell，\"saidLadyMary。
\"Ihopeyourladyshipdoes，\"answeredthecountesstartly。
MistressWinthrop\'seyeswerelowered；hercheekswerescarlet。Herdistresswasplain，bornofherdoubtoftheLadyMary\'spurpose，andsuspenseastowhatmightfollow。
\"Ihavenotthehonorofyourward\'sacquaintance，LadyOstermore，\"saidLadyMary，whilstthemenwerebowing，andhercousinscurtseyingtothecountessandhercompanioncollectively。
Thecountessgasped，recovered，andeyedthespeakerwithoutanysignofaffection。\"Myhusband\'sward，ma\'am，\"shecorrected，inavoicethatseemedtodiscouragefurthermentionofHortensia。
\"\'Tisbutadistinction，\"putinMr。Caryllsuggestively。
\"Indeed，yes。Willnotyourladyshippresentme？\"Thecountess\'malevolenteyesturnedamomentuponMr。Caryll，smilingdemurelyatLadyMary\'selbow。Inhisface-aswellasinthefourwordshehaduttered-shesawthatherewasworkofhis，andhegainednothinginherfavorbyit。
Meanwhiletherewerenogrounds-otherthansuchasmusthavebeenwantonlyoffensivetotheLadyMary，andsonottobedreamedof-uponwhichtorefuseherrequest。Thecountessbracedherself，andwithanillgraceperformedthebriefceremonyofpresentation。
MistressWinthroplookedupaninstant，thendownagain；itwasapiteous，almostapleadingglance。
LadyMary，leavingthecountesstoSirHarryStapleton，Caryllandtheothers，movedtoHortensia\'ssideforamomentshewasatlosswhattosay，andtookrefugeinacommonplace。
\"Ihavelongdesiredthepleasureofyouracquaintance，\"saidshe。
\"Iamhonored，madam，\"repliedHortensia，withdowncasteyes。
Thenliftingthemwithalmostdisconcertingsuddenness。\"Yourladyshiphaschosenanoddseasoninwhichtogratifythisdesirewithwhichyouhonorme。\"
LadyMarylaughed，asmuchattheremarkasforthebenefitofthosewhoseeyeswereuponher。Sheknewtherewouldnotbewantingmanywhowouldcondemnher；buttheseshouldbefaroutnumberedbythosewhowouldbelostinadmirationofherdaring，thatshecouldsoflyinthefaceofpublicopinion；
andshewasgratefultoMr。Caryllforhavingsuggestedtoheracourseofsuchdistinction。
\"Icouldhavechosennobetterseason，\"shereplied，\"tomarkmyscornofeviltonguesandbackbiters。\"
ColorstainedHortensia\'scheekagain；gratitudeglowedinhereyes。\"Youareverynoble，madam，\"sheansweredwithflatteringearnestness。
\"La！\"saidtheLadyMary。\"Isnobility，then，soeasilyachieved？\"Andthereaftertheytalkedofinconsequenttrifles，untilMr。Caryllmovedtowardsthem，andLadyMaryturnedasidetospeaktothecountess。
AtMr。Caryll\'sapproachHortensia\'seyeshadbeenloweredagain，andshemadenooffertoaddresshimashestoodbeforehernow，hatunderarm，leaningeasilyuponhisambercane。
\"Oh，heartofstone！\"saidheatlast。\"AmInotyetforgiven？\"
Shemisreadhismeaning-perhapsalreadythesuspicionshenowvoicedhadbeeninhermind。Shelookedupathimsharply。\"Wasit-wasityouwhofetchedtheLadyMarytome？\"sheinquired。
\"Lo！\"saidhe。\"Youhaveavoice！NowHeavenbepraised！I
wasfearingitwaslostforme-thatyouhadmadesomeawfulvowneveragaintorejoicemyearswiththemusicofit。\"
\"Youhavenotansweredmyquestion，\"sheremindedhim。
\"Noryoumine，\"saidhe。\"IaskedyouamInotyetforgiven。\"
\"Forgivenwhat？\"
\"Forbeingbornanimpudent，fleeringcoxcomb-twasthatyoucalledme，Ithink。\"
Sheflusheddeeply。\"Ifyouwouldwinforgiveness，youshouldnotremindmeoftheoffence，\"sheansweredlow。
\"Nay，\"herejoined，\"thatistoconfoundforgivenesswithforgetfulness。Iwantyoutoforgiveandyettoremember。\"
\"Thatweretocondone。\"
\"Whatelse？\'Tisnothinglesswillsatisfyme。\"
\"Youexpecttoomuch，\"sheanswered，withatouchthatwasalmostofsternness。
Heshruggedandsmiledwhimsically。\"Itismyway，\"hesaidapologetically。\"Naturehasmademeexpectant，andlife，whilstshowingmethefollyofit，hasnotyetcuredme。\"
Shelookedathim，andrepeatedherearlierquestion。\"WasitatyourbiddingthatLadyMarycametospeakwithme？\"
\"Fie！\"hecried。\"Whatinsinuationsdoyoumakeagainsther？\"
\"Insinuations？\"
\"Whatelse？Thatsheshoulddothingsatmybidding！\"
Shesmiledunderstanding。\"Youhaveatalent，sir，forcrookedanswers。\"
\"\'Tistoconcealtherectitudeofmybehavior。\"
\"Itfailsofitsobject，then，\"saidshe，\"foritdeludesnoone。\"Shepausedandlaughedathislookofassumedblankness。\"Iamdeeplybeholdentoyou，\"shewhisperedquickly，breathingatoncegratitudeandconfusion。
\"ThoughIdon\'tdescrythecause，\"saidhe，\"\'twillbesomethingtocomfortme。\"
Morehemighthaveaddedthen，forthemadmoodwasuponhim，awakenedbythosesoftbrowneyesofhers。ButinthatmomenttheothersofthatlittlepartycrowdeduponthemtotaketheirleaveofMistressWinthrop。
Mr。CaryllfeltsatisfiedthatenoughhadbeendonetocurbtheslanderconcerningHortensia。Buthewasnotlonginlearninghowprofoundwashismistake。Oneverysidehecontinuedtohearherdiscussed，andinsuchtermsasmadehisearstingleandhishandsitchtobeatworkinherdefence；
for，withsmirksandsneersandinnuendoes，herescapadewithLordRotherbycontinuedtofurnishatopicforthetownasherladyshiphadswornitwould。Yetbywhatrightcouldheespousehercausewithanyoneofherdefamerswithoutbringingherfairnameintostillmoreodiousnotoriety？
AndmeanwhileheknewthathewasunderstrictsurveillancefromMr。Green；knewthathewaswatchedwhereverhewent；andnothingbuthisconfidencethatnoevidencecouldbeproducedagainsthimallowedhimtoremain，ashedid，allunconcernedofthis。
LeduchadmorethanonceseenMr。GreenaboutOldPalaceYard，besidesacoupleofhisunderlings，oneortheotherofwhomwasneverabsentfromtheplace，nodoubtwithintenttoobservewhocameandwentatMr。Caryll\'s。Once，indeed，duringtheabsenceofmasterandservant，Mr。Caryll\'slodgingwasbrokeninto，andonLeduc\'sreturnhefoundaconfusionwhichtoldhimhowthoroughlytheplacehadbeenransacked。
IfMr。Caryllhadhadanythingtohide，thiswouldhavegivenhimthehinttotakehisprecautions；butashehadnothingthatwasintheleastdegreeinincriminating，hewenthiswaysinsupremestunconcernofthevigilanceexertedoverhim。
Heused，however，agreaterdiscretionintheresortshefrequented。AndifuponoccasionhevisitedsuchTorymeeting-placesastheBellTaverninKingStreetortheCocoa-TreeinPallMall，hewasstillmoreoftentobefoundatWhite\'s，thatultra-Whigresort。
Itwasatthislatterhouse，oneeveningthreeorfourdaysafterhismeetingwithHortensiainthepark，thatthechancewasaffordedhimatlastofvindicatingherhonorinamannerthatneednotaddtothescandalthatwasalreadyabroad，norservetocouplehisnamewithhersunduly。AnditwasLordRotherbyhimselfwhoaffordedhimtheopportunity。
Thethingfelloutinthiswise：Mr。CaryllwasatcardswithHarryCollisandStapletonandMajorGascoigne，inaroomabove-stairs。Therewereatleastadozenotherspresent，somealsoatplay，othersmerelylounging。OfthelatterwashisGraceofWharton。Hewasaslender，gracefulgentleman，whoseface，ifslightlyeffeminateandmarkedlydissipated，wasneverthelessofconsiderablebeauty。Hewasverysplendidinasuitofgreencamlettandsilverlace，andheworeaflaxenperiwigwithoutpowder。
HewasawaitingRotherby，withwhom-ashetoldthecompany-
hewasforafrolicatDruryLane，wherearidottowasfollowingtheplay。Hespoke，asusual，inaloudvoicethatallmighthear，andhistalkwaslooseandheavilysaltedasbecamethetalkofarakeofhisexaltedrank。ItwaschieflyconcernedwithairinghisbittergrievanceagainstMrs。
Girdlebank，oftheTheatreRoyal，ofwhomheannouncedhimself\"devilishlyenamoured。\"
Heinveighedagainstherthatsheshouldhavethegrossvulgaritytoloveherhusband，andagainstherhusbandthatheshouldhavetheaudacitytoplaythewatchdogoverher，andbarkandgrowlattheduke\'sapproach。
\"Aplagueonallhusbands，sayI，\"endedtheworthypresidentoftheBoldBucks。
\"Nay，now，butI\'mahusbandmyself，gad！\"protestedMr。
Sidney，whowasquitethemostdelicate，mincingmanoffashionabouttown，andoneofthatvaletaillethathoveredabouthisGraceofWharton\'sheels。
\"\'Tisnomatterinyourcase，\"saidtheduke，withthatcontemptheusedtowardshisfollowers。\"Yourwife\'stoouglytobelookedat。\"AndMr。Sidney\'sfreshprotestwasdrownedintheroaroflaughterthatwentuptoapplaudthatbrutalfrankness。Mr。Caryllturnedtothefop，whohappenedtobestandingathiselbow。
\"Neverrepine，man，\"saidhe。\"Inthecompanyyoukeep，suchawifemakesforpeaceofmind。Tohavethatistohavemuch。\"
WhartonresumedhisrailingsattheGirdlebanks，andwasstillatthemwhenRotherbycamein。
\"Atlast，Charles！\"thedukehailedhim，rising。\"Anotherminute，andIhadgonewithoutyou。\"
ButRotherbyscarcelookedathim，andansweredwithunwontedshortness。HiseyeshaddiscoveredMr。Caryll。Itwasthefirsttimehehadrunagainsthimsincethatday，overaweekago，atStrettonHouse，andatsightofhimnowallRotherby\'sspleenwasmoved。Hestoodandstared，hisdarkeyesnarrowing，hischeeksflushingslightlyundertheirtan。
Wharton，whohadapproachedhim，observinghissuddenhalt，hissuddenlookofconcentration，askedhimshortlywhatmightailhim。
\"IhaveseensomeoneIdidnotexpecttofindinaresortofgentlemen，\"saidRotherby，hiseyeseveronMr。Caryll，who-
engrossedinhisgame-wasallunconsciousofhislordship\'sadvent。
Whartonfollowedthedirectionofhiscompanion\'sgaze，andgivingnowattentionhimselftoMr。Caryll，hefelltoappraisinghisgenteelappearance，negligentoftheinsinuationinwhatRotherbyhadsaid。
\"\'Sdeath！\"sworetheduke。\"\'Tisamanoftaste-atravelledgentlemanbyhisair。Beholdmethegraceofthatshoulder-knot，Charles，andthesetofthatmostadmirablecoat。Fiftyguineaswouldn\'tbuyhisSteinkirk。Whoisthisbeau？\"
\"I\'llpresenthimtoyourgrace，\"saidRotherbyshortly。Hehadpretentionsatbeingabeauhimself；buthisgrace-
supremearbiterinsuchmatters-hadneveryetremarkedit。
Theymovedacrosstheroom，greetingspassingastheywent。
Attheirapproach，Mr。Carylllookedup。Rotherbymadehimalegwithanexcessiveshowofdeference，arguingirony。\"\'Tisanunlooked-forpleasuretomeetyouhere，sir，\"saidheinatonethatdrewtheattentionofallpresent。
\"Nopleasuresaresosweetastheunexpected，\"answeredMr。
Caryll，withcasualamiability，andsinceheperceivedatoncetheerranduponwhichLordRotherbywascometohim，hewenthalf-waytomeethim。\"Hasyourlordshipbeencontractinganymarriagesoflate？\"heinquired。
Theviscountsmiledicily。\"Youhavequickwits，sir，\"saidhe，\"whichisasitshouldbeinonewholivesbythem。\"
\"Letyourlordshipbethankfulthatsuchisnotyourowncase，\"returnedMr。Caryll，withimperturbablegoodhumor，andsentatitterroundtheroom。
\"Ahit！Ashrewdhit，\'ponhonor！\"criedWharton，tappinghissnuff-box。\"IvowtoGad，Ye\'reundone，Charles。Ye\'dbetterplayatreparteewithGascoigne，there。Ye\'remoreofaweight。\"
\"Yourgrace，\"criedRotherby，suppressingatgreatcosthispassion，\"\'tisnottobebornethatafellowofthisconditionshouldsitamongmenofquality。\"Andwiththatheswungroundandaddressedthecompanyingeneral。\"Gentlemen，doyouknowwhothisfellowis？Hehastheeffronterytotakemyname，andcallhimselfCaryll。\"
Mr。Carylllookedamomentathisbrotherinthesilencethatfollowed。Then，asinaflash，hesawhischanceofvindicatingMistressWinthrop，andheseizedit。
\"Anddoyouknow，gentlemen，whothisfellowis？\"heinquired，withanairofslyamusement。\"Heis-Nay，youshalljudgeforyourselves。Youshallhearthestoryofhowwemet；itisthestoryofhisabductionofaladywhosenameneednotbementioned；thestoryofhisdastardlyattempttocozenherintoamock-marriage。\"
\"Mock-mock-marriage？\"criedthedukeandadozenotherswithhim，someinsurprise，butmostinanunbeliefthatwasalreadyfaintlytingedwithhorror-whicharguedillformyLordRotherbywhenthestoryshouldbetold。
\"Youdamnedrogue-\"beganhislordship，andwouldhaveflunghimselfuponCaryll，butthatCollisandStapleton，andWhartonhimself，putforthhandstostayhimbymainforce。
Others，too，hadrisen。ButMr。Caryllsatquietlyinhischair，idlyfingeringthecardsbeforehim，andsmilinggently，betweenamusementandirony。HewasmuchmistakenifhedidnotmakeLordRotherbybitterlyregrettheinitiativehehadtakenintheirquarrel。
\"Gently，mylord，\"thedukeadmonishedtheviscount。\"This-
thisgentlemanhassaidthatwhichtouchesyourhonor。Heshallsaymore。Heshallmakegoodhiswords，oreatthem。
Butthemattercannotrestthus。\"
\"Itshallnot，byGod！\"sworeRotherby，purplenow。\"Itshallnot。I\'llkillhimlikeadogforwhathehassaid。\"
\"ButbeforeIdie，gentlemen，\"saidMr。Caryll，\"itwerewellthatyoushouldhavethefullstoryofthatsorryadventurefromaneye-witness。\"
\"Aneye-witness？Wereyepresent？\"criedtwoorthreeinabreath。
\"IdesiretolaybeforeyouallthestoryofhowwemetmylordthereandI。Itissocloselyenmeshedwiththestoryofthatabductionandmock-marriagethattheoneisscarcetobedistinguishedfromtheother。\"
Rotherbywrithedtoshakeoffthosewhoheldhim。
\"Willyelistentothisfellow？\"heroared。\"He\'saspy，I
tellyou-aJacobitespy！\"Hewasbesidehimselfwithangerandapprehension，andheneverpausedtoweighthewordsheuttered。Itwaswithhimaquestionofstoppinghisaccuser\'smouthwithwhatevermudcameunderhishands。\"Hehasnorighthere。Itisnottobeborne。Iknownotbywhatmeanshehasthrusthimselfamongyou，but-\"
\"ThatisaknowledgeIcanaffordyourlordship，\"cameStapleton\'ssteadyvoicetointerruptthespeaker。\"Mr。
Caryllisherebymyinvitation。\"
\"AndbymineandGascoigne\'shere，\"addedSirHarryCollis，\"andIwillanswerforhisqualitytoanymanwhodoubtsit。\"
RotherbyglaredatMr。Caryll\'ssponsors，struckdumbbythissuddenandunexpectedrefutationofthechargehehadleveled。
Wharton，whohadsteppedaside，knithisbrowsandflashedhisquizzing-glass-throughsheerforceofhabit-uponLordRotherby。Then：
\"You\'llpardonme，Harry，\"saidhe，\"butyou\'llsee，Ihope，thatthequestionisnotimpertinent；thatIputittotheendthatwemayclearlyknowwithwhomwehavetodealandwhatconsiderationtoextendhim，whatcredittoattachtothecommunicationheistomakeustouchingmylordhere。UnderwhatcircumstancesdidyoubecomeacquaintedwithMr。Caryll？\"
\"Ihaveknownhimthesetwelveyears，\"answeredCollispromptly；\"sohasStapleton，sohasGascoigne，sohaveadozenothergentlemenwhocouldbeproduced，andwho，likeourselves，wereatOxfordwithhim。FormyselfandStapleton，Icansaythatouracquaintance-indeed，Ishouldsayourfriendship-withMr。Caryllhasbeencontinuoussincethen，andthatwehavevisitedhimonseveraloccasionsathisestateofMalignyinNormandy。ThathehabituallyinhabitsthecountryofhisbirthisthereasonwhyMr。Caryllhasnothithertohadtheadvantageofyourgrace\'sacquaintance。NeedIsaymoretoeffacethefalsestatementmadebymyLordRotherby？\"
\"False？Doyoudaregivemethelie，sir？\"roaredRotherby。
Butthedukesoothedhim。UnderhisprofligateexteriorhisGraceofWhartonconcealed-indeed，wasted-adealofshrewdness，abilityandinherentstrength。\"Onethingatatime，mylord，\"saidthepresidentoftheBoldBucks。\"LetusattendtothematterofMr。Caryll。\"
\"Donsandthedevil！Doesyourgracetakesideswithhim？\"
\"Itakenosides。ButIoweittomyself-wealloweittoourselves-thatthismattershouldbecleared。\"
Rotherbyleeredathim，hisliptremblingwithanger。\"DoesthepresidentoftheBoldBuckspretendtoadministrateacourtofhonor？\"hesneeredheavily。
\"Yourlordshipwillgainlittlebythis，\"Whartonadmonishedhim，socoldlythatRotherbybelatedlycametosomeportionofhissensesagain。TheduketurnedtoCaryll。\"Mr。Caryll，\"
saidhe，\"SirHarryhasgivenyouveryhandsomecredentials，whichwouldseemtoproveyouworthythehospitalityofWhite\'s。Youhave，however，permittedyourselfcertainexpressionsconcerninghislordshiphere，whichwecannotallowtoremainwhereyouhaveleftthem。Youmustretract，sir，ormakethemgood。\"Hisgravity，andtheprecisenessofhisdictionnow，sortedmostoddlywithhisfoppishairs。
Mr。Caryllclosedhissnuff-boxwithasnap。Ahushfellinstantlyuponthecompany，whichbynowwasallcrowdingaboutthelittletableatwhichsatMr。Caryllandhisthreefriends。Afootmanwhoenteredatthemomenttosnuffthecandlesandseewhatthegentlemenmightberequiring，wasdismissedtheroom。Whenthedoorhadclosed，Mr。Caryllbegantospeak。
OnemoreattemptwasmadebyRotherbytointerfere，butthisattemptwasdisposedofbyWharton，whohadconstitutedhimselfentirelymasteroftheproceedings。
\"IfyouwillnotallowMr。Carylltospeak，weshallinferthatyoufearwhathemayhavetosay；youwillcompelustohearhiminyourabsence，andIcannotthinkthatyouwouldpreferthat，mylord。\"
Mylordfellsilent。Hewasbreathingheavily，andhisfacewaspale，hiseyesangrybeyondwords，whattimeMr。Caryll，inamiable，musicalvoice，withitspreciseandatmomentsslightlyforeignenunciation，unfoldedtheshamefulstoryoftheaffairatthe\"AdamandEve，\"atMaidstone。Hetoldaplain，straightforwardtale，makinglittleattempttoreproduceanyofitscolor，givinghisaudiencepurelyandsimplythefactsthathadtakenplace。HetoldhowhehimselfhadbeenchosenasawitnesswhenmylordhadheardthattherewasatravellerfromFranceinthehouse，andshowedhowthatslightcircumstancehadfirstawakenedhissuspicionsoffoulplay。Heprovokedsomeamusementwhenhedealtwithhisdetectionandexposureoftheshamparson。Butinthemainhewasheardwithasternandominousattention-ominousforLordRotherby。
Rakesthesemenadmittedlywerewithbutfewexceptions。Noordinarytaleofgallantrycouldhaveshockedthem，orprovokedthemtoaughtbutacontemptuousmirthattheexpenseofthevictim，maleorfemale。Theywouldhavethoughtlittletheworseofamanforrunningoffwiththewife，say，ofoneofhisacquaintance；theywouldhavethoughtnothingofhisrunningoffwithasisteroradaughter-solongasitwasnotoftheirown。Allthesewerefairgame，andifthehusband，fatherorbrothercouldnotprotectthewife，sisterordaughterthatwashis，themoreshametohim。Butthoughtheymightbefairgame，thegamehaditsrules-anomalousasitmayseem。TheserulesLordRotherby-ifthetaleMr。
Carylltoldwastrue-hadviolated。Hehadpracticedacheat，themoredastardlybecausethepoorladywhohadsonarrowlyescapedbeinghisvictimhadnetherfathernorbrothertoavengeher。AndineveryeyethatwasuponhimLordRotherbymighthaveread，hadhehadthewittodoso，theverysternestcondemnation。
\"Aprettystory，asI\'veasoul！\"washisgrace\'scomment，whenMr。Caryllhaddone。\"Aprettystory，myLordRotherby。
Ihaveastomachforstrongmeatmyself。But-oddsmylife！-
thisistoonauseous！\"
Rotherbyglaredathim。\"\'Slife！yourgraceisgrownveryniceonasudden！\"hesneered。\"ThepresidentoftheBoldBucks，themasteroftheHellFireClub，ismostoddlysqueamishwherethediversionsofanotherareconcerned。\"
\"Diversions？\"saidhisgrace，hiseyebrowsraiseduntiltheyallbutvanishedunderthegoldencurlsofhisperuke。
\"Diversions？Ha！Iobservethatyoumakenoattempttodenythestory。Youadmitit，then？\"
Therewasastirinthegroup，adrawingbackfromhislordship。Heobservedit，tremblingbetweenchagrinandrage。
\"What\'shere？\"hecried，andlaughedcontemptuously。\"Oh，ah！
You\'llfollowwherehisgraceleadsyou！Ye\'vefollowedhimsolonginlewdnessthatnowyellfollowhiminconversion！
Butasforyou，sir，\"andheswungfiercelyuponCaryll，\"youandyourpreciousstory-willyoumaintainitswordinhand？\"
\"Icandobetter，\"answeredMr。Caryll，\"ifanydoubtsmyword。\"
\"Ashow？\"
\"Icanproveitcategorically，bywitnesses。\"
\"Wellsaid，Caryll，\"Stapletonapprovedhim。
\"AndifIsaythatyoulie-youandyourwitnesses？\"
\"\'Tisyouwillbeliar，\"saidMr。Caryll。
\"Besides，itisalittlelateforthat，\"cutintheduke。
\"Yourgrace，\"criedRotherby，\"isthisaffairyours？\"
\"No，IthankHeaven！\"saidhisgrace，andsatdown。
Rotherbyscowledatthemanwhountiltenminutesagohadbeenhisfriendandbooncompanion，andtherewasmoreofcontemptthanangerinhiseyes。HeturnedagaintoMr。Caryll，whowaswatching\'himwithagleamofamusement-thatinfernallyirritatingamusementofhis-inhisgray-greeneyes。
\"Well？\"hedemandedfoolishly，\"haveyounaughttosay？\"
\"Ihadthought，\"returnedMr。Caryll，\"thatIhadsaidenough。\"Andthedukelaughedaloud。
Rotherby\'slipwascurled。\"Ha！Youdon\'tthink，now，thatyoumayhavesaidtoomuch？\"
Mr。Caryllstifledayawn。\"Doyou？\"heinquiredblandly。
\"Ay，byGod！Toomuchforagentlemantoleaveunpunished。\"
\"Possibly。Butwhatgentlemanisconcernedinthis？\"
\"Iam！\"thunderedRotherby。
\"Isee。Andhowdoyouconceivethatyouanswerthedescription？\"
Rotherbysworeathimwithgreatchoiceandvariety。\"Youshalllearn，\"hepromisedhim。\"Myfriendsshallwaitonyouto-night。\"
\"Iwonderwhowillcarryhismessage？\"venturedCollistotheceiling。Rotherbyturnedonhim，fierceasarat。\"Itisamatteryoumaydiscovertoyourcost，SirHarry，\"hesnarled。
\"Ithink，\"putinhisgraceverylanguidly，\"thatyouaretroublingtheharmonythatiswonttoreignhere。\"
Hislordshipstoodstillamoment。Then，quitesuddenly，hesnatchedupacandlesticktohurlatMr。Caryll。Buthehaditwrenchedfromhishandserehecouldlaunchit。
Hestoodamoment，discomfited，gloweringuponhisbrother。
\"Myfriendsshallwaitonyouto-night，\"herepeated。
\"Yousaidsobefore，\"Mr。Caryllrepliedwearily。\"Ishallendeavortomakethemwelcome。\"
Hislordshipnoddedstupidly，andstrodetothedoor。Hisdeparturewasobservedinsilence。Oneveryfacehereadhissentence。Thesemen-rakesthoughtheywere，professedly-
wouldownhimnomorefortheirassociate；andwhatthesementhoughtto-nightnotagentlemanintownbutwouldbethinkingthesametomorrow。HehadthestupiditytolayitalltothescoreofMr。Caryll，notperceivingthathehadbroughtituponhimselfbyhisownaggressiveness。Hepaused，hishanduponthedoorknob，andturnedtoloosealastshaftatthem。
\"Asforyouothers，thatfollowyourbell-wetherthere，\"andheindicatedhisgrace，whoseshoulderwastowardshim，\"thismatterendsnothere。\"
Andwiththatgeneralthreathepassedout，andthatsnugroomatWhite\'sknewhimnomore。
MajorGascoignewasgatheringupthecardsthathadbeenflungdownwhenfirstthestormarose。Mr。Caryllbenttoassisthim。AndthelastvoiceLordRotherbyheardashedepartedwasMr。Caryll\'s，andthewordsitutteredwere：\"Come，Ned；
thedealiswithyou。\"
Hislordshipsworethroughhisteeth，andwentdownstairsheavily。
CHAPTERX
SPURSTOTHERELUCTANT
BeforeMr。CaryllleftWhite\'s-whichhedidatacomparativelyearlyhour，thathemightbeathometoreceiveLordRotherby\'sfriends-notamanpresentbuthadofferedhimhisservicesintheaffairhehaduponhishands。
Wharton，indeed，wasnottobedeniedforone；andfortheotherMr。CarylldesiredGascoignetodohimthehonorofrepresentinghim。
Itwasafine，drynight，andfeelingtheneedforexercise，Mr。CaryllsetouttowalktheshortdistancefromSt。
James\'sStreettohislodging，withalink-boy，precedinghim，foronlyattendant。Arrivedhome，hewasmetbyLeducwiththeinformationthatSirRichardEverardwasawaitinghim。Hewentin，andthenextmomenthewasinthearmsofhisadoptivefather。
Greetingsandminorcourtesiesdisposedof，SirRichardcamestraighttotheaffairwhichhehadatheart。\"Well？Howspeedsthematter？\"
Mr。Caryll\'sfacebecameovercast。Hesatdown，athoughtwearily。
\"SofarasLordOstermoreisconcerned，itspeeds-asyouwouldwishit。SofarasIamconcerned\"-hepausedandsighed-\"Iwouldthatitspednotatall，orthatIwasoutofit。\"
SirRichardlookedathimwithsearchingeyes。\"How？\"heasked。\"Whatwouldyouhavemeunderstand？\"
\"Thatinspiteofallthathasbeensaidbetweenus，inspiteofalltheargumentsyouhaveemployed，andwithwhichonce，foralittlewhile，youconvincedme，thistaskisloathsometomeinthelastdegree。Ostermoreismyfather，andIcan\'tforgetit。\"
\"Andyourmother？\"SirRichard\'stonewassad，ratherthanindignant；itspokeofabitterdisappointment，notattheevents，butatthismanwhomhelovedwithallafather\'slove。
\"Itwereidletogooveritallagain。Iknoweverythingthatyouwould-thatyoucould-say。Ihavesaiditalltomyselfagainandagain，inavainendeavortosteelmyselftothebusinesstowhichyouplightedme。HadOstermorebeendifferent，perhapsithadbeeneasier。Icannotsay。Asitis，Iseeinhimaweakling，amanofinferiorintellect，whodoesnotjudgethingsasyouandIjudgethem，whoselifecannothavebeenguidedbytherulesthatserveformenofstrongerpurpose。\"
\"Youfindexcusesforhim？Forhisdeed？\"criedSirRichard，andhisvoicewasfullofhorrornow；hestaredaskanceathisadoptiveson。
\"No，no！Oh，Idon\'tknow。Onmysoulandconscience，I
don\'tknow！\"criedMr。Caryll，likeoneinpain。Heroseandmovedrestlesslyabouttheroom。\"No，\"hepursuedmorecalmly，\"Idon\'texcusehim。Iblamehim-morebitterlythanyoucanthink；perhapsmorebitterlyeventhandoyou，forI
havehadalookintohismindandseetheexactplaceheldtherebymymother\'smemory。Icanjudgeandcondemnhim；butIcan\'texecutehim；Ican\'tbetrayhim。Idon\'tthinkI
coulddoitevenifhewerenotmyfather。\"
Hepaused，andleaninghishandsuponthetableatwhichSirRichardsat，hefacedhim，andspokeinavoiceofearnestpleading。\"SirRichard，thiswasnotthetasktogiveme；or，ifyouhadplannedtogiveitme，youshouldhaverearedmedifferently；youshouldnothavesoughttomakeofmeagentleman。Youhavebroughtmeuptoprinciplesofhonor，andyouaskmenowtooutragethem，tocastthemoff，andtobecomeaveryJudas。Is\'twonderfulIshouldrebel？\"
TheywerehurtfulwordstoSirRichard-thepoorfanaticwhosemindwasallunsoundonthisonepoint，whohadlivedincontemplationofhisvengeanceasafastingmonklivesthroughLentincontemplationoftheEasterplenty。Thelinesofsorrowdeepenedinhisface。
\"Justin，\"hesaidslowly，\"youforgetonething。Honoristobeusedwithmenofhonor；buthewhoallowshishonortostandabarrierbetweenhimselfandthemanwhohaswrongedhimbydishonor，isnobetterthanafool。Youspeakofyourself；youthinkofyourself。Andwhatofme，Justin？Thethingsyousayofyourselfapplyinalikedegree-nay，evenmore-tome。\"
\"Ah，butyouarenothisson。Oh，believeme，Ispeaknothastilyorlightly。Ihavebeentornthiswayandthatinthesepastdays，untilatmomentstheburdenhasbeenheavierthanIcouldbear。Once，foralittlewhile，IthoughtI
coulddoallandmorethanyouexpectofme-themoment，indeed，inwhichItookthefirststep，anddeliveredhimtheletter。Butitwasamomentofwildheat。Icooled，andreflectionfollowed，andsincethen，becausesomuchwasdone，Ihavenotknownaninstant\'speaceofmind；IhaveendeavoredtoforgetthepositioninwhichIamplaced；butIhavefailed。Icannot。AndifIgothroughwiththisthing，I
shallnotknowanotherhourinlifethatisnotpoisonedbyremorse。\"
\"Remorse？\"echoedSirRichard，betweenconsternationandanger。\"Remorse？\"Helaughedbitterly。\"Whatailsthee，boy？
DoyoupretendthatLordOstermoreshouldgounpunished？Doyougosofarasthat？\"
\"Notso。Hehasmadeotherssuffer，anditisjust-asweunderstandjustice-thatheshouldsufferinhisturn。
Though，whenallissaid，heisbutapooregotist，toodull-wittedtounderstandthefullvilenessofhissin。Heissuffering，asitis-cursedinhisson；for`thefatherofafoolhathnojoy。\'Hehatesthissonofhis，andhissondespiseshim。Hiswifeisashrew，atermagant，whoembitterseveryhourofhisexistence。Thushedragsouthislife，unlovingandunloved，athingtoevokepity。\"
\"Pity？\"criedSirRichardinavoiceofthunder。\"Pity？Ha！
AsI\'veasoul，Justin，heshallbemorepitifulyetereI
havedonewithhim。\"
\"Beitso，then。But-ifyouloveme-findsomeotherhandtodothework。\"
\"IfIloveyou，Justin？\"echoedtheother，andhisvoicesoftened，hiseyeslookedreproachfullyuponhisadoptivechild。\"Needstherean`if\'tothat？AreyounotallIhave-myson，indeed？\"
Heheldouthishands，andJustintookthemaffectionatelyandpressedtheminhisown。
\"You\'llputtheseweaknotionsfromyourmind，Justin，andproveworthythenobleladywhowasyourmother？\"
Mr。Caryllmovedasideagain，hanginghishead，hisfacepaleandtroubled。WhereEverard\'sargumentsmustfail，hisownaffectionforEverardwasliketoconquerhim。Itwasveryweakinhim，hetoldhimself；butthenhisloveforEverardwasstrong，andhewouldfainspareEverardthepainheknewhemustbeoccasioninghim。Stillhedidbattle，hisrepugnanceupinarms。
\"IwouldyoucouldseethematterasIseeit，\"hesighed。
\"Thismangrownold，andreapinginhisoldagethefruitsoftheegotismhehassown。Idonotbelievethatinalltheworldthereisasinglesoulwouldweephislordship\'sdeath-
ifweexcept，perhaps，MistressWinthrop。\"
\"Anddoyoupityhimforthat？\"quothSirRichardcoldly。
\"Whatrighthashetoexpectaughtelse？Whosowsforhimself，reapsforhimself。Imarvel，indeed，thatthereshouldbeevenonetobewailhim-tosparehimakindthought。\"
\"Andeventhere，\"musedMr。Caryll，\"itisperhapsgratituderatherthanaffectionthatinspiresthekindness。\"
\"WhoisMistressWinthrop？\"
\"Hisward。Assweetalady，Ithink，asIhaveeverseen，\"
saidMr。Caryll，incautiousenthusiasmassailinghim。SirRichard\'seyesnarrowed。
\"Youhavesomeacquaintancewithher？\"hesuggested。
VerybrieflyMr。CaryllsketchedforthesecondtimethateveningthecircumstancesofhisfirstmeetingwithRotherby。
SirRichardnoddedsardonically。\"Hum！Heishisfather\'sson，notadoubtofthat。\'TwillbeamostworthysuccessortomyLordOstermore。Butthelady？Tellmeofthelady。
Howcomesshelinkedwiththem？\"
\"Iscarceknow，savefromthescrapsthatIhaveheard。Herfather，itwouldseem，wasOstermore\'sfriend，and，dying，heappointedOstermoreherguardian。Herfortune，Itakeit，isveryslender。Nevertheless，Ostermore，whateverhemayhavedonebyotherpeople，appearsinthiscasetohavedischargedhistrustwithzealandwithaffection。But，indeed，whocouldhavedoneotherwherethatsweetladywasconcerned？Youshouldseeher，SirRichard！\"Hewaspacingtheroomnowashespoke，andashespokehewarmedtohissubjectmoreandmore。\"Sheismiddlingtall，ofamostdaintyslenderness，dark-haired，withasosweetandsaintlybeautyoffacethatitmustbeseentobebelieved。Andeyes-Lord！thegloryofhereyes！Theyareeyesthatwouldleadamanintohellandmakehimbelieveitheaven\"\'LovedothtohereyesrepairTohelphimofhisblindness。\'\"
SirRichardwatchedhim，displeasuregrowinginhisface。
\"So！\"hesaidatlast。\"Isthatthereason？\"
\"Thereasonofwhat？\"quothMr。Caryll，recalledfromhissweetrapture。
\"Thereasonofthesefreshqualmsofyours。ThereasonofallthissympathyforOstermore；thisunwillingnesstoperformthesacreddutythatisyours。\"
\"Nay-onmysoul，youdomewrong！\"criedMr。Caryllindignantly。\"Ifaughthadbeenneededtospurmeon，ithadbeenmymeetingwiththislady。ItneededthattomakemerealizetothebitterfullthewrongmyLordOstermorehasdonemeingettingme；tomakemerealizethatIamamanwithoutanametoofferanywoman。\"
ButSirRichard，watchinghimintently，shookhisheadandfetchedasighofsorrowanddisdain。\"Pshaw，Justin！Howwebefoolourselves！Youthinkitisnotso；youtrytothinkitisnotso；buttomeitisveryplain。Awomanhasariseninyourlife，andthiswoman，seenbutonceortwice，unknownaweekorsoago，sufficestoeclipsethememoryofyourmotherandturnsyouraiminlife-theavengingofherbitterwrongs-towater。Oh，Justin，Justin！Ihadthoughtyoustronger。\"
\"Yourconclusionsareallwrong。Isweartheyarewrong！\"
SirRichardconsideredhimsombrely。\"Areyousure-quite，quitesure？\"
Mr。Caryll\'seyesfell，asthedoubtnowenteredhismindforthefirsttimethatitmightbeindeedasSirRichardwassuggesting。Hewasnotquitesure。
\"Proveittome，Justin，\"Everardpleaded。\"ProveitbyabandoningthisweaknesswheremyLordOstermoreisconcerned。
Rememberonlythewronghehasdone。Youaretheincarnationofthatwrong，andbyyourhandmusthebedestroyed。\"Herose，andcaughttheyoungerman\'shandsagaininhisown，forcedMr。Carylltoconfronthim。\"Heshallknowwhenthetimecomeswhosehanditwasthatpulledhimdown；heshallknowtheNemesisthathaslaininwaitforhimthesethirtyyearstosmitehimattheend。Andheshalltastehellinthisworldbeforehegoestoitinthenext。ItisGod\'sownjustice，boy！Willyoubefalsetothedutythatliesbeforeyou？Willyouforgetyourmotherandhersufferingsbecauseyouhavelookedintotheeyesofthisgirl，who-\"
\"No，no！Saynomore！\"criedMr。Caryll，hisvoicetrembling。
\"Youwilldoit，\"saidSirRichard，betweenquestionandassertion。
\"IfHeavenlendsmestrengthofpurpose。Butitasksmuch，\"
wasthegloomyanswer。\"IamtoseeLordOstermoreto-morrowtoobtainhisanswertoKingJames\'letter。\"
SirRichard\'seyesgleamed。Hereleasedtheother\'shands，andturnedslowlytohischairagain。\"Itiswell，\"hesaidslowly。\"Thethingasksdispatch，orelsesomeofhismajesty\'srealfriendsmaybeinvolved。\"
Heproceededtoexplainhiswords。\"IhavetalkedinvainwithAtterbury。HewillnotabandontheenterpriseevenatKingJames\'commands。Heurgesthathismajestycanhavenoconceptionofhowthematterisadvanced；thathehasbeenlaboringlikeHercules，andthatthepartyisbeingswelledbymenofweightandsubstanceeveryday；thatitistoolatetogoback，andthathewillgoforwardwiththeking\'sconsentorwithoutit。ShouldheorhisagentsapproachOstermore，inthemeantime，itwillbetoolateforustotakesuchmeasuresaswehaveconcerted。FortodeliverupOstermorethenwouldentailthebetrayalofothers，whichisnottobedreamtof。
Soyou\'llusedispatch。\"
\"IfIdothethingatall，itshallbedoneto-morrow，\"
answeredMr。Caryll。
\"Ifatall？\"criedSirRichard，frowningagain。\"Ifatall？\"
Caryllturnedtohim。Hecrossedtothetable，andleaningacrossit，untilhisfacewasquiteclosetohisadoptivefather\'s。\"SirRichard，\"hebegged，\"letussaynomoreto-night。Mywillisalltodothething。Itismy-myinstinctsthatrebel。Ithinkthatthedaywillbecarriedbymywill。Ishallstrivetothatend，believeme。Butletussaynomorenow。\"
SirRichard，lookingdeepintoMr。Caryll\'seyes，wastouchedbysomethingthathesaw。\"MypoorJustin！\"hesaidgently。
Then，checkingthesympathyasswiftlyasitrose：\"Sobeit，then，\"hesaidbriskly。\"You\'llcometometo-morrowafteryouhaveseenhislordship？\"
\"Willyounotremainhere？\"
\"Youhavenottheroom。Besides，SirRichardEverard-istoowellknownforaJacobitetobeobservedsharingyourlodging。
IhavenorightatallinEngland，andthereisalwaysthechanceofmybeingdiscovered。Iwouldnotpullyoudownwithme。IamlodgedatthecornerofMaidenLane，nextdoortothesignofGoldenFlitch。Cometomethereto-morrowafteryouhaveseenLordOstermore。\"Hehesitatedamoment。Hewasimpelledtorecapitulatehisinjunctions；butheforbore。Heputouthishandabruptly。\"Good-night，Justin。\"
Justintookthehandandpressedit。Thedooropened，andLeducentered。
\"CaptainMainwaringandMr。Falgatearehere，sir，andwouldspeakwithyou，\"heannounced。
Mr。Caryllknithisbrowsamoment。Hisacquaintancewithbothmenwasoftheslightest，anditwasonlyuponreflectionthathebethoughthimtheywould，nodoubt，becomeinthematterofhisaffairwithRotherby，whichinthestressofhisinterviewwithSirRichardhadbeenquiteforgotten。Henodded。
\"WaituponSirRichardtothedoor，Leduc，\"hebadehisman。
\"Thenintroducethesegentlemen。\"
SirRichardhaddrawnbackastep。\"Itrustneitherofthesegentlemenknowsme，\"hesaid。\"Iwouldnotbeseenherebyanythatdid。Itmightcompromiseyou。\"
ButMr。CaryllbelittledSirRichard\'sfears。\"Pooh！\'Tisveryunlike，\"saidhe；whereuponSirRichard，seeingnohelpforit，wentoutquickly，Leducinattendance。
LordRotherby\'sfriendsintheante-roompaidlittleheedtohimashepassedbrisklythrough。Surveillancecameratherfromanentirelyunsuspectedquarter。Asheleftthehouseandcrossedthesquare，afiguredetacheditselffromtheshadowofthewall，andsetouttofollow。Ithunginhisrearthroughthefilthy，labyrinthinestreetswhichSirRichardtooktoCharingCross，followedhimalongtheStrandandupBedfordStreet，andtooknoteofthehouseheenteredatthecornerofMaidenLane。
CHAPTERXI
THEASSAULT-AT-ARMS
ThemeetingwasappointedbymyLordRotherbyforseveno\'clocknextmorninginLincoln\'sInnFields。ItistruethatLincoln\'sInnFieldsatanearlyhourofthedaywasaccountedaconvenientspotforthetransactionofsuchbusinessasthis；yet，consideringthatitwasintheimmediateneighborhoodofStrettonHouse，overlooked，indeed，bythewindowsofthatmansion，itisnoteasytoridthemindofasuspicionthatRotherbyappointedthatplaceofpurposeset，andwithintenttomarkhiscontemptanddefianceofhisfather，withwhomhesupposedMr。Carylltobeinsomeleague。
AccompaniedbytheDukeofWhartonandMajorGascoigne，Mr。
CaryllenteredtheenclosurepromptlyassevenwasstrikingfromSt。ClementDanes。Theyhadcomeinacoach，whichtheyhadleftinwaitingatthecornerofPortugalRow。
Astheypenetratedbeyondthebeltoftreestheyfoundthattheywerethefirstinthefield，andhisgraceproceededwiththemajortoinspecttheground，sothattimemightbesavedagainstthecomingoftheotherparty。
Mr。Caryllstoodapart，breathingthefreshnessofthesunlitmorning，butsupremelyindifferenttoitsglory。Hewasgloomyandpreoccupied。HehadsleptillthatnightafterhisinterviewwithSirRichard，tormentedbytheodiouschoicethatlaybeforehimofeitherbreakingwiththeadoptivefathertowhomheowedobedienceandaffection，orbetrayinghisnaturalfatherwhomhehadeveryreasontohate，yetwhoremainedhisfather。Hehadbeenabletoarriveatnosolution。Dutyseemedtopointoneway；instincttheother。
Downinhishearthefeltthatwhenthemomentcameitwouldbethebehestsofinstinctthathewouldobey，and，inobeyingthem，playfalsetoSirRichardandtothememoryofhismother。Itwastheonlycoursethatwentwithhonor；andyetitwasacoursethatmustleadtoabreakwiththeonefriendhehadintheworld-theonemanwhostoodtohimforfamilyandkin。
Andnow，asifthatwerenotenoughtoplaguehim，therewasthisquarrelwithRotherbywhichhehaduponhishands。That，too，hehadbeenconsideringduringthewakefulhoursofthatsummernight。HadhereflectedhemusthaveseenthatnootherresultcouldhavefollowedhisnarrativeatWhite\'slastnight；andyetitwasacaseinwhichreflectionwouldnothavestayedhim。HortensiaWinthrop\'sfairnamewastobecleansedofthesmirchthathadbeencastuponit，andJustinwastheonlymaninwhosepowerithadlaintodoit。Morethanthat-ifmorewereneeded-itwasRotherbyhimself，byhisaggressiveness，whohadthrustMr。Caryllintoapositionwhichalmostmadeitnecessaryforhimtoexplainhimself；andthathecouldscarcelyhavedonebyanyotherthanthemeanswhichhehadadopted。Underordinarycircumstancesthematterwouldhavetroubledhimnotatall；thismeetingwithsuchamanasRotherbywouldnothaverobbedhimofamoment\'ssleep。
Buttherecamethereflection-belatedly-thatRotherbywashisbrother，hisfather\'sson；andheexperiencedjustthesamedegreeofrepugnanceattheprospectofcrossingswordswithhimashedidattheprospectofbetrayingLordOstermore。SirRichardwouldforceuponhimaparricide\'stask；Fateafratricide\'s。Truly，hethought，itwasanenviableposition，his。
Pacingtheturf，onwhichthedewstillgleamedantsparkleddiamond-like，heponderedhiscourse，andwonderednow，atthelastmoment，wastherenowaytoavertthismeeting。Couldnotthematterbearranged？HewasstirredoutofhismusingsbyGascoigne\'svoice，raisedtocursethetardinessofLordRotherby。
\"\'Slife！Wheredoesthefellowtarry？Washesodrunklastnightthathe\'snotyetslepthimselfsober？\"
\"Thestreetsareastir，\"putinWharton，helpinghimselftosnuff。And，indeed，thecriesofthemorninghawkersreachedthemnowfromthefoursidesofthesquare。\"Ifhislordshipdoesnotcomesoon，Idoubtifwemaystayforhim。Weshallhavehalfthetownforspectators。\"
\"Whoarethese？\"quothGascoigne，steppingasideandcraninghisnecktogetabetterview。\"Ah！Heretheycome。\"Andheindicatedagroupofthreethathadthatmomentpassedthepalings。
GascoigneandWhartonwenttomeetthenewcomers。LordRotherbywasattendedbyMainwaring，amilitiacaptain-agreat，burly，scarredbullyofaman-andaMr。Falgate，anextravagantyoungbuckofhisacquaintance。Anodderpairofsponsorshecouldnothavefoundhadhebeenatpainstochoosethemso。
\"Adso！\"sworeMr。Falgate，inhisshrill，affectedvoice。\"I
vow\'tisamostungenteelhour，this，formenofqualitytobeabroad。Ihadmybeautysleepbrokeintotobehereintime。
Lard！Ishallbedozingalldayfor\'t！\"Hetookoffhishatanddelicatelymoppedhisbrowwithasquareoflacehecalledahandkerchief。
\"Shallwecometobusiness，gentlemen？\"quothMainwaringgruffly。
\"Withallmyheart，\"answeredWharton。\"Itisgrowinglate。\"
\"Late！La，mydears！\"cluckedMr。Falgateinhorror。\"Hasyourgracenotbeentobedyet？\"
\"Tosavetime，\"saidGascoigne，\"wehavemadeaninspectionoftheground，andwethinkthatunderthetreesyonderisaspotnottobebettered。\"
Mainwaringflashedacriticalandexperiencedeyeovertheplace。\"Thesunis-So？\"hesaid，lookingup。\"Yes；itshouldservewellenough，I-\"
\"Itwillnotserveatall，\"criedRotherby，whostoodapaceortwoapart。\"Alittletotheright，there，theturfisbetter。\"
\"Butthereisnoprotection，\"，putintheduke。\"Youwillbeunderobservationfromthatsideofthesquare，includingStrettonHouse。\"
\"Whatodds？\"quothRotherby。\"DoIcarewhooverlooksus？\"
Andhelaughedunpleasantly。\"Orisyourgraceashamedofbeingseeninyourfriend\'scompany？\"
Whartonlookedhimsteadilyinthefaceamoment，thenturnedtohislordship\'sseconds。\"IfMr。Caryllisofthesamemindashislordship，wehadbestgettoworkatonce，\"hesaid；
andbowingtothem，withdrewwithGascoigne。
\"Seetotheswords，Mainwaring，\"saidRotherbyshortly。
\"Here，Fanny！\"ThistoFalgate，whosenamewasFrancis，andwhodelightedinthefemininediminutivewhichhisintimatesusedtowardhim。\"Comehelpmewithmyclothes。\"
\"IvowtoGad，\"protestedMr。Falgate，advancingtothetask。
\"Imakebutanindifferentvalet，mydear。\"
Mr。CaryllstoodthoughtfulamomentwhenRotherby\'swisheshadbeenmadeknowntohim。Theoddironyofthesituation-
thekeytowhichhewastheonlyonetohold-wasborneinuponhim。Hefetchedasighofutterweariness。
\"Ihave，\"saidhe，\"thegreatestrepugnancetomeetinghislordship。\"
\"\'Tislittlewonder，\"returnedhisgracecontemptuously。\"Butsince\'tisforceduponyou，Ihopeyou\'llgivehimthelessoninmannersthatheneeds。\"
\"Isit-isitunavoidable？\"quothMr。Caryll。
\"Unavoidable？\"Whartonlookedathiminsternwonder。
Gascoigne，too，swungroundtostare。\"Unavoidable？Whatcanyoumean，Caryll？\"
\"Imeanisthematternottobearrangedinanyway？Mustthedueltakeplace？\"
HisGraceofWhartonstrokedhischincontemplatively，hiseyeironical，hislipcurlingneversoslightly。\"Why，\"saidhe，atlength，\"youmaybegmyLordRotherby\'spardonforhavinggivenhimthelie。Youmayretract，andbrandyourselfaliarandyourversionoftheMaidstoneaffairasillyinventionwhichyehavenotthecouragetomaintain。Youmaydothat，Mr。Caryll。Formyownsake，letmeadd，Ihopeyouwillnotdoit。\"
\"Iamnotthinkingofyourgraceatall，\"saidMr。Caryll，slightlypiquedbythetonetheothertookwithhim。\"ButtorelieveyourmindofsuchdoubtsasIseeyouentertain，IcanassureyouthatitisoutofnomotivesofweaknessthatI
boggleatthiscombat。ThoughIconfessthatIamnoferrailleur，andthatIabhortheduelasameansofsettlingadifferencejustasIabhorallthingsthatarestupidandinsensate，yetIamnotthemantoshirkanencounterwhereanencounterisforceduponme。Butinthisaffair-\"hepaused，thenended-\"thereismorethanmeetsyourgrace\'seye，or，indeed，anyone\'s。\"
Hewassocalm，somasterofhimself，thatWhartonperceivedhowgroundlessmusthavebeenhisfirstnotion。WhatevermightbeMr。Caryll\'smotives，itwasplainfromhismostperfectcomposurethattheywerenotmotivesoffear。Hisgrace\'shalf-contemptuoussmilewasdissipated。
\"Thisismeretrifling，Mr。Caryll，\"heremindedhisprincipal，\"andtimeisspeeding。Yourwithdrawalnowwouldnotonlybedamagingtoyourself；itwouldbedamagingtotheladyofwhosefairnameyouhavemadeyourselfthechampion。
Youmustseethatitistoolatefordoubtsonthescoreofthismeeting。\"
\"Ay-byGod！\"sworeGascoignehotly。\"Whatapoxailsyou，Caryll？\"
Mr。Carylltookoffhishatandflungitonthegroundbehindhim。\"Wemustgoon，then，\"saidhe。\"Gascoigne，seetotheswordswithhislordship\'sfriendthere。\"
Witharelievedlook，themajorwentforwardtomakethefinalpreparations，whilstMr。Caryll，attendedbyWharton，rapidlydivestedhimselfofcoatandwaistcoat，thenkickedoffhislightshoes，andstoodready，aslight，lithe，gracefulfigureinwhiteHollandshirtandpearl-coloredsmallclothes。
Amomentlatertheadversarieswerefacetoface-Rotherby，divestedofhiswigandwithakerchiefboundabouthisclose-croppedhead，allatremblingeagerness；Mr。Caryllwithareluctancelightlymaskedbyadangerouscomposure。
Therewasaperfunctorysalute-amerepresentingofarms-
andthebladessweptroundinahalf-circletotheirfirstmeeting。ButRotherby，withoutsomuchasallowinghissteeltotouchhisopponent\'s，asthelawsofcourtesydemanded，swirleditawayagainintothehigherlinesandlunged。Itwasalmostlikeafoulattempttotakehisadversaryunawaresandunprepared，andforaseconditlookedasifitmustsucceed。ItmusthavesucceededbutforthemiraculousquicknessofMr。Caryll。Swingingroundontheballofhisrightfoot，lightlyandgracefullyasadancingmaster，andwithnosignofhasteorfearinhisamazingspeed，helettheother\'shard-drivenbladeglancepasthim，tomeetnothingbuttheemptyair。
Asaresult，bytheveryforceofthestroke，Rotherbyfoundhimselfover-reachedandcarriedbeyondhispointofaim；
whileMr。Caryll\'ssidewardmovementbroughthimnotonlynearerhisopponent，butentirelywithinhisguard。
Itwasseenbythemall，andbynonewithsuchpanicasRotherbyhimself，that，asaconsequenceofhisquasi-foulstroke，theviscountwasthrownentirelyatthemercyofhisopponentthusattheveryoutsetoftheencounter，beforetheirbladeshadsomuchastouchedeachother。A
straighteningofthearmonthepartofMr。Caryll，andtheengagementwouldhavebeenatanend。
Mr。Caryll，however，didnotstraightenhisarm。Hewasobservedtosmileashebrokegroundandwaitedforhislordshiptorecover。
Falgateturnedpale。Mainwaringsworesoftlyunderhisbreath，infearforhisprincipal；GascoignedidthesameinvexationattheopportunityMr。Caryllhadsowantonlywasted。
Whartonlookedonwithtight-pressedlips，andwondered。
Rotherbyrecovered，andforamomentthetwomenstoodapart，seemingtofeeleachotherwiththeireyesbeforeresuming。
Thenhislordshiprenewedtheattackwithvigor。
Mr。Caryllparriedlightlyandclosely，plyingabeautifulweaponinthebestmanneroftheFrenchschool，andopposingtotheponderousforceofhisantagonistadelicatefrustratingscience。Rotherby，afineswordsmaninhisway，soonsawthatherewasneedforallhisskill，andheexertedit。Buttheprodigiousrapidityofhisbladebrokeasuponacuirassagainsttheother\'slight，impenetrableguard。
Hislordshipbrokeground，breathedheavily，andsweatedundertheglareofthemorningsun，cursingthisswordsmanwho，socoolanddeliberate，husbandedhisstrengthandscarcelyseemedtomove，yetbysheerskillandaddressmorethanneutralizedhislordship\'sadvantagesofgreaterstrengthandlengthofreach。
\"YoucursedFrenchdog！\"sworetheviscountpresently，betweenhisteeth，andashespokehemadearingingparade，feinted，beatthegroundwithhisfoottodrawofftheother\'sattention，andwentinagainwithafull-lengthlunge。\"Parrythat，youdamnedmaitre-d\'armesP\'heroared。
Mr。Caryllanswerednothing；heparried；parriedagain；
deliveredaripostewhenevertheopportunityoffered，orwheneverhislordshipgrewtoopressing，anditbecameexpedienttodrivehimback；butneveroncedidhestretchouttolungeinhisturn。Thesecondsweresolostinwonderatthebeautyofthiscloseplayofhisthattheypaidnoheedtowhatwastakingplaceinthesquareaboutthem。Theyneverobservedtheopeningwindowsandthespectatorsgatheringatthem-asWhartonhadfeared。Amongstthese，hadeitherofthecombatantslookedup，hewouldhaveseenhisownfatheronthebalconyofStrettonHouse。Amomenttheearlstoodthere，LadyOstermoreathisside；thenhevanishedintothehouseagain，toreappearalmostatonceinthestreet，withacoupleoffootmenhurryingafterhim。
Meanwhilethecombatwenton。OnceLordRotherbyhadattemptedtofallbackforarespite，realizingthathewaswinded。ButMr。Carylldeniedhimthis，attackingnowforthefirsttime，andtherapidityofhisplaywassuchthatRotherbyopined-theendtobeathand，appreciatedtothefullhisperil。Inalastdesperateeffort，gatheringupwhatshredsofstrengthremainedhim，herepulsedMr。Caryllbyavigorouscounterattack。Hesawanopening，feintedtoenlargeit，anddroveinquickly，throwinghislastounceofstrengthintotheeffort。Thistimeitcouldnotbesaidtohavebeenparried。Somethingelsehappened。Hisblade，comingfoibleonforteagainstMr。Caryll\'s，wassuddenlyenveloped。Itwasasifatentaclehadbeenthrustouttoseizeit。ForthebarestfractionofasecondwasitheldsobyMr。Caryll\'ssword；then，easilybutirresistibly，itwasliftedoutofRotherby\'shand，anddroppedontheturfahalf-yardorsofromhislordship\'sstockingedfeet。
Acoldsweatofterrorbrokeuponhim。Hecaughthisbreathwithahalf-shudderingsoboffear，hiseyesdilatingwildly-
forMr。Caryll\'spointwascomingstraightasanarrowathisthroat。Onitcameandon，untilitwaswithinperhapsthreeinchesoftheflesh。
Thereitwassuddenlyarrested，andforalongmomentitwasheldtherepoised，deathitself，menacingandimminent。AndLordRotherby，notdaringtomove，rootedwherehestood，lookedwithfascinatedeyesalongthatshimmeringbladeintotwogleamingeyesbehinditthatseemedtowatchhimwithasolemnitythatwasgrimtothepointofmockery。
Timeandtheworldstoodstill，orwereannihilatedinthatmomentforthemanwhowaited。
Highintheblueoverheadalarkwaspouringoutitssong；buthislordshiphearditnot。Heheardnothing，hewasconsciousofnothingbutthatgleamingswordandthosegleamingeyesbehindit。
Thenavoice-thevoiceofhisantagonist-brokethesilence。\"Ismoreneeded？\"itasked，andwithoutwaitingforareply，Mr。Caryllloweredhisbladeanddrewhimselfupright。\"Letthissuffice，\"hesaid。\"Totakeyourlifewouldbetodepriveyouofthemeansofprofitingbythislesson。\"
ItseemedtoRotherbyasifhewereawakingfromatrance。
Theworldresumeditsway。Hebreathedagain，andstraightenedhimself，too，fromthearrestedattitudeofhislastlunge。Ragewelledupfromhisblacksoul；acrimsonfloodsweptintohispallidcheeks；hiseyesrolledandblazedwiththefuryofthemad。
Mr。Caryllmovedaway。Inthatquietvoiceofhis：\"Takeupyoursword，\"hesaidtothevanquished，overhisshoulder。
WhartonandGascoignemovedtowardshim，withoutwordstoexpresstheamazementthatstillheldRotherbyglaredaninstantlongerwithoutmoving。Then，doingasMr。Caryllhadbiddenhim，hestoopedtorecoverhisblade。
Amomentheheldit，lookingafterhisdepartingadversary；
thenwithswift，silentstealthhesprangtofollow。Hisfellintentwaswrittenonhisface。
Falgategasped-ahelplessfool-whileMainwaringhurledhimselfforwardtopreventthethinghesawimpended。Toolate。Evenasheflungouthishandstograpplewithhislordship，Rotherby\'sarmdrovestraightbeforehimandsenthisswordthroughtheundefendedbackofMr。Caryll。