"Do I look as though I should be in earnest in what I am about to

speak?"

"I should judge so."

"Then listen, and don't take your eyes off mine until I am done

speaking!"

"Very well, don't be long, though, for it rather agitates me."

"I will not! Hear me, then! You say that you decline to challenge Le

Noir. Very good! I, on my part, here renounce all acquaintance with

you! I will never sit down at the same table--enter the same room, or

breathe the same air with you--never speak to you--listen to you, or

recognize you in any manner, until my deep wrongs are avenged in the

punishment of my slanderer, so help me----"

"Hush-sh! don't swear, Cap--it's profane and unwomanly; and nothing on

earth but broken oaths would be the result!"

But Cap was off! In an instant she was down in the yard, where her

groom was holding her horse, ready in case she wished to take her usual

ride.

"Where is Mr. John Stone?" she asked.

"Down at the kennels, miss," answered the boy.

She jumped into her saddle, put whip to her horse and flew over the

ground between the mansion house and the kennels.

She pulled up before the door of the main building, sprang from her

saddle, threw the bridle to a man in attendance, and rushed into the

house and into the presence of Mr. John Stone, who was busy in

prescribing for an indisposed pointer.

He looked up in astonishment, exclaiming: "Hilloe! All the witches! Here's Cap! Why, where on earth did you shoot

from? What's up now? You look as if you were in a state of spontaneous

combustion and couldn't stand it another minute."

"And I can't--and I won't! John Stone, you must call that man out!"

"What man, Cap--what the deuce do you mean?"

"You know well enough--you do this to provoke me! I mean the man of

whom you cautioned me this afternoon--the wretch who slandered me--the

niece of your host!"

"Whe--ew!"

"Will you do it?"

"Where's Percy?"

"On the lounge with an ice in one hand and a novel in the other! I

suppose it is no use mincing the matter, John--he is a--mere

epicure--there is no fight in him! It is you who must vindicate your

cousin's honor!"

"My cousin's honor cannot need vindication! It is unquestioned and

unquestionable!"

"No smooth words, if you please, cousin John! Will you, or will you not

fight that man?"




readonlinefreebook.com Copyright 2016 - 2024