ing all proof of his villany, and at the same time
all obstacles in his path to her. Well, I am not called on to meet him,
but I will take this hazard, as well as every other, for her.'

I signified my assent to his proposals, and there, on the scene of his
detected iniquity, we calmly discussed the necessary arrangements.

The next day, in pursuance of them, we met as by accident in the most
frequented hotel, and, after the usual salutations, engaged in
conversation, handling various papers, as if transacting a negotiation
of some kind. Gradually we warmed and our tones became louder, until
finally he exclaimed, 'It is false, Mr. Bell! Entirely false! I never
made any such representation.'

'Perhaps,' I answered mildly, 'you mean to intimate that I am mistaken,
and would not charge me, as your words imply, with wilful falsehood.'

'You must make your own application, sir,' he rejoined. 'I say your
statement is false--so false that a mere mistake can scarcely be
considered responsible for it.'

'Such a reiteration of your insult,' I said, 'leaves me no redress
except by force. As you gave the first offense, I return it to your
keeping.' So saying, I struck him.

By-standers, who had been attracted around, now seized us, and there
was, of course, much excitement and confusion.

'This is a simple matter of private business, gentlemen,' said Mr.
Sefton, 'and its settlement will take place elsewhere.'

'Yes, gentlemen,' I added, 'your interference now is not required, and
hereafter will be of no avail.' So we separated.

I proceeded to my place of business and retired to my secret chamber,
giving orders to admit no one to me (lest I should be disturbed by the
officiousness of friends seeking to 'arrange' matters), but to send up
any letters. Soon a formal challenge arrived, to which I despatched a
formal answer. At the hour of closing business I sought my chief clerk,
whom I knew to be a sporting man, and briefly informed him of the
anticipated duel, which was appointed for an early hour the next
morning, the weapons pistols, and the place a short distance from the
city, and engaged him to act as my second.

I occupied the evening in the necessary preparations of my affairs for
the contingency of a fatal issue. Near midnight I went to my residence,
and in the seclusion of my sleeping chamber passed an hour in a
tumultuous variety of thought. I had briefly written, for Evelyn's
perusal, a history of my life as con