o defy him, and I spit at him, Call him a slanderous coward and a
villain--Which to maintain I will allow him odds.--Shakspeare.

I found Glanville walking before the door with a rapid and uneven step.

"Thank Heaven!" he said, when he saw me--"I have been twice to Mivart's
to find you. The second time, I saw your servant, who told me where you
were gone. I knew you well enough to be sure of your kindness."

Glanville broke off aburptly: and after a short pause, said, with a
quick, low, hurried tone--"The office I wish you to take upon yourself
is this:--go immediately to Sir John Tyrrell, with a challenge from
me. Ever since I last saw you, I have been hunting out that man, and
in vain. He had then left town. He returned this evening, and quits it
to-morrow: you have no time to lose."

"My dear Glanville," said I, "I have no wish to learn any secret
you would conceal from me; but forgive me if I ask for some further
instructions than those you have afforded me. Upon what plea am I to
call out Sir John Tyrrell? and what answer am I to give to any excuses
he may create?"

"I have anticipated your reply," said Glanville, with ill-subdued
impatience; "you have only to give this paper: it will prevent all
discussion. Read it if you will; I have left it unsealed for that
purpose."

I cast my eyes over the lines Glanville thrust into my hand; they ran
thus:--

"The time has at length come for me to demand the atonement so long
delayed. The bearer of this, who is, probably, known to you, will
arrange with any person you may appoint, the hour and place of our
meeting. He is unacquainted with the grounds of my complaint against
you, but he is satisfied of my honour: your second will, I presume,
be the same with respect to yours. It is for me only to question the
latter, and to declare you solemnly to be void alike of principle and
courage, a villain, and a poltroon.

"Reginald Glanville."

"You are my earliest friend," said I, when I had read this soothing
epistle; "and I will not flinch from the place you assign me: but I tell
you fairly and frankly, that I would sooner cut off my right hand than
suffer it to give this note to Sir John Tyrrell."

Glanville made no answer; we walked on till he stopped suddenly,
and said, "My carriage is at the corner of the street; you must go
instantly; Tyrrell lodges at the Clarendon; you will find me at home on
your return."

I pressed his hand, and hurried on my mission. It was