For the elder, judging his son by the impetuosity of his own youthful

temper, expected him to go directly to Van Heemskirk's house. But there

were qualities in Neil which his father forgot to take into

consideration, and their influence was to suggest to the young man how

inappropriate a visit to Katherine would be at that time. Indeed, he did

not much desire it. He was very angry with Katherine. He was sure that

she understood his entire devotion to her. He could not see any

necessity to set it forth as particularly as a legal contract, in

certain set phrases and with conventional ceremonies.

But his father's sarcastic advice annoyed him, and he wanted time to

fully consider his ways. He was no physical coward; he was a fine

swordsman, and he felt that it would be a real joy to stand with a drawn

rapier between himself and his rival. But what if revenge cost him too

much? What if he slew Hyde, and had to leave his love and his home, and

his fine business prospects? To win Katherine and to marry her, in the

face of the man whom he felt that he detested, would not that be the

best of all "satisfactions"?

He walked about the streets, discussing these points with himself, till

the shops all closed, and on the stoops of the houses in Maiden Lane and

Liberty Street there were merry parties of gossiping belles and beaux.

Then he returned to Broadway. Half a dozen gentlemen were standing

before the King's Arms Tavern, discussing some governmental statement in

the "Weekly Mercury;" but though they asked him to stop, and enlighten

them on some legal point, he excused himself for that night, and went

toward Van Heemskirk's. He had suddenly resolved upon a visit. Why

should he put off until the morrow what he might begin that night?

Still debating with himself, he came to a narrow road which ran to the

river, along the southern side of Van Heemskirk's house. It was only a

trodden path used by fishermen, and made by usage through the unenclosed

ground. But coming swiftly up it, as if to detain him, was Captain Hyde.

The two men looked at each other defiantly; and Neil said with a cold,

meaning emphasis,-"At your service, sir."

"Mr. Semple, at your service,"--and touching his sword,--"to the very

hilt, sir."

"Sir, yours to the same extremity."

"As for the cause, Mr. Semple, here it is;" and he pushed aside his

embroidered coat in order to exhibit to Neil the bow of orange ribbon

beneath it.




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