`I hear, I hear,' replied one of those who held him. `Come away for tonight!'
`I will not, by God,' he replied. `A dozen men about us saw the blow.'
`Tomorrow will be ample time,' said the friend.
`It will not be ample time!' cried Sir Mulberry. `Tonight--at once--here!'
His passion was so great, that he could not articulate, but stood clenching his fist, tearing his hair, and stamping upon the ground.
`What is this, my lord?' said one of those who surrounded him. `Have blows passed?'
` One blow has,' was the panting reply. `I struck him--I proclaim it to all here! I struck him, and he knows why. I say, with him, let this quarrel be adjusted now. Captain Adams,' said the young lord, looking hurriedly about him, and addressing one of those who had interposed, `let me speak with you, I beg.'
The person addressed stepped forward, and taking the young man's arm, they retired together, followed shortly afterwards by Sir Mulberry and his friend.
It was a profligate haunt, of the worst repute, and not a place in which such an affair was likely to awaken any sympathy for either party, or to call forth any further remonstrance or interposition. Elsewhere, its further progress would have been instantly prevented, and time allowed for sober and cool reflection; but not there. Disturbed in their orgies, the party broke up; some reeled away with looks of tipsy gravity; others withdrew noisily discussing what had just occurred; the gentlemen of honour who lived upon their winnings remarked to each other, as they went out, that Hawk was a good shot; and those who had been most noisy, fell fast asleep upon the sofas, and thought no more about it.
Meanwhile, the two seconds, as they may be called now, after a long conference, each with his principal, met together in another room. Both utterly heartless, both men upon town, both thoroughly initiated in its worst vices, both deeply in debt, both fallen from some higher estate, both addicted to every depravity for which society can find some genteel name and plead its most depraving conventionalities as an excuse, they were naturally gentlemen of most unblemished honour themselves, and of great nicety concerning the honour of other people.
These two gentlemen were unusually cheerful just now; for the affair was pretty certain to make some noise, and could scarcely fail to enhance their reputations.
`This is an awkward affair, Adams,' said Mr Westwood, drawing himself up.
`Very,' returned the captain; `a blow has been struck, and there is but one course, of course.'
`No apology, I suppose?' said Mr Westwood.
`Not a syllable, sir, from my man, if we talk till doomsday,' returned the captain. `The original cause of dispute, I understand, was some girl or other, to whom your principal applied certain terms, which Lord Frederick, defending the girl, repelled. But this led to a long recrimination upon a great many sore subjects, charges, and counter-charges. Sir Mulberry was sarcastic; Lord Frederick was excited, and struck him in the heat of provocation, and under circumstances of great aggravation. That blow, unless there is a full retraction on the part of Sir Mulberry, Lord Frederick is ready to justify.'
`There is no more to be said,' returned the other, `but to settle the hour and the place of meeting. It's a responsibility; but there is a strong feeling to have it over. Do you object to say at sunrise?'
`Sharp work,' replied the captain, referring to his watch; `however, as this seems to have been a long time breeding, and negotiation is only a waste of words--no.'
`Something may possibly be said, out of doors, after what passed in the other room, which renders it desirable that we should be off without delay, and quite clear of town,' said Mr Westwood. `What do you say to one of the meadows opposite Twickenham, by the river-side?'
The captain saw no objection.
`Shall we join company in the avenue of trees which leads from Petersham to Ham House, and settle the exact spot when we arrive there?' said Mr Westwood.
To this the captain also assented. After a few other preliminaries, equally brief--and having settled the road each party should take to avoid suspicion--they separated.
`We shall just have comfortable time, my lord,' said the captain, when he had communicated the arrangements, `to call at my rooms for a case of pistols, and then jog coolly down. If you will allow me to dismiss your servant, we'll take my cab; for yours, perhaps, might be recognised.'
