Captain N---- recognised his person, an
evident and ominous change passed over his countenance. He turned
hastily to withdraw, but, as it seemed, almost instantly changed his
mind, for he turned again abruptly.

'This chamber is engaged, sir,' said the waiter.

'Leave the room, sir,' was his only reply.

'The room is engaged, sir,' repeated the waiter, probably believing that
his first suggestion had been unheard.

'Leave the room, or go to hell!' shouted Captain N----; at the same time
seizing the astounded waiter by the shoulder, he hurled him headlong
into the passage, and flung the door to with a crash that shook the
walls. 'Sir,' continued he, addressing himself to O'Mara, 'I did not
hope to have met you until to-morrow. Fortune has been kind to me--draw,
and defend yourself.'

At the same time he drew his sword, and placed himself in an attitude of
attack.

'I will not draw upon YOU,' said O'Mara. 'I have, indeed, wronged you.
I have given you just cause for resentment; but against your life I will
never lift my hand.'

'You are a coward, sir,' replied Captain N----, with almost frightful
vehemence, 'as every trickster and swindler IS. You are a contemptible
dastard--a despicable, damned villain! Draw your sword, sir, and
defend your life, or every post and pillar in this town shall tell your
infamy.'

'Perhaps,' said his friend, with a sneer, 'the gentleman can do better
without his honour than without his wife.'

'Yes,' shouted the captain, 'his wife--a trull--a common----'

'Silence, sir!' cried O'Mara, all the fierceness of his nature roused
by this last insult--'your object is gained; your blood be upon your own
head.' At the same time he sprang across a bench which stood in his way,
and pushing aside the table which supported the lights, in an instant
their swords crossed, and they were engaged in close and deadly strife.

Captain N---- was far the stronger of the two; but, on the other hand,
O'Mara possessed far more skill in the use of the fatal weapon which
they employed. But the narrowness of the room rendered this advantage
hardly available.

Almost instantly O'Mara received a slight wound upon the forehead,
which, though little more than a scratch, bled so fast as to obstruct
his sight considerably.

Those who have used the foil can tell how slight a derangement of eye
or of hand is sufficient to determine a contest of this kind; and this
knowledge will prevent their being surprised w