didn't they shake hands? Gad!
when I was young and we fell out and made up over the wine, we went
roaring home arm over shoulder! Your manners are too cold. A bow is
nothing--one can bow to a villain! Men of honour, when the quarrel's
over, should shake hands!"

"Precisely," said his companion, who chanced to be Mr. Wickham. "They
are men of honour; they didn't shake hands. _Ergo_ the quarrel's not
over!--Here we are at the Eagle."

CHAPTER XVII

FAIRFAX AND UNITY

"Bah!" exclaimed Major Churchill. "Long ago Hamilton said the last word
on the subject. Aaron Burr's sole political principle is to _mount_. The
Gazette says he has started West--gone, I'll swear, to light the fuse."

"Then I hope the mine will blow up under him," said Fairfax Cary. "Can
you tell me, sir, if Miss Dandridge is at home?"

The Major looked over the top of his Gazette. "Miss Dandridge is sitting
beneath the catalpa tree." The other made a movement towards the door.
"Mr. Page is with her. He is reading aloud--Eloisa to Abelard, or some
such impassioned stuff. Don't apologize! I have no objection to
expletives."

The younger Cary laid down his hat, took a chair with great
deliberation, and flecked his boot with his riding-whip. "The catalpa
shall be sacred for me. Eloisa to Abelard! Is it a long poem, sir?"

"It is longer than its author was. Sentimental rubbish!"

Major Edward folded the Gazette with his one hand, laid it on the
library table, and leaned back in his leather chair. "It is not my
opinion that Unity cares for Mr. Page. She cares for what many men and
an occasional woman have cared for--liberty."

"I would give her liberty."

"She may possibly prefer it," said the Major dryly, "first hand."

The young man laughed ruefully. "So little liberty as she has left me!
I am bound hand and foot to her chariot wheels. There's nothing I
wouldn't do for her, short of hearing Page read aloud."

"You'll win in the end, I think. And I hope you may. Unity Dandridge is
wilful, but she is a fine woman."

"The finest in the world--the most beautiful--the most sparkling--the
most loyal--"

"You'll not find her lacking in spirit. She will speak her mind, will
Miss Dandridge! The Carys, fortunately, have a certain fine obstinacy of
their own. It is a saving grace."

The other laughed. "I never heard that the Churchills lacked it, sir.
Anyhow, I mean to marry Miss Dandridge. I've told her and the world my
intention, and they ma