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。