d (then of a hotter and more
impetuous nature than now, when care, and reflection, and grey hairs have
calmed him) thought it was his duty to stand by his kind generous patron,
and said--"My lord, if you are determined upon war, you must not go into it
alone. 'Tis the duty of our house to stand by its chief: and I should
neither forgive myself nor you if you did not call me, or I should be
absent from you at a moment of danger."

"Why, Harry, my poor boy, you are bred for a parson," says my lord, taking
Esmond by the hand very kindly: "and it were a great pity that you should
meddle in the matter."

"Your lordship thought of being a churchman once," Harry answered, "and
your father's orders did not prevent him fighting at Castlewood against
the Roundheads. Your enemies are mine, sir: I can use the foils, as you
have seen, indifferently well, and don't think I shall be afraid when the
buttons are taken off 'em." And then Harry explained with some blushes and
hesitation (for the matter was delicate, and he feared lest, by having put
himself forward in the quarrel, he might have offended his patron), how he
had himself expostulated with the Lord Mohun, and proposed to measure
swords with him if need were, and he could not be got to withdraw
peaceably in this dispute. "And I should have beat him, sir," says Harry,
laughing. "He never could parry that _botte_ I brought from Cambridge. Let
us have half an hour of it, and rehearse--I can teach it your lordship:
'tis the most delicate point in the world, and if you miss it your
adversary's sword is through you."

"By George, Harry! you ought to be the head of the house," says my lord
gloomily. "You had been better Lord Castlewood than a lazy sot like me,"
he added, drawing his hand across his eyes, and surveying his kinsman with
very kind and affectionate glances.

"Let us take our coats off and have half an hour's practice before
nightfall," says Harry, after thankfully grasping his patron's manly hand.

"You are but a little bit of a lad," says my lord good-humouredly; "but,
in faith, I believe you could do for that fellow. No, my boy," he
continued, "I'll have none of your feints and tricks of stabbing: I can
use my sword pretty well too, and will fight my own quarrel my own way."

"But I shall be by to see fair play," cries Harry.

"Yes, God bless you--you shall be by."

"When is it, sir?" says Harry, for he saw that the matter had been
arranged privately, and befor