wing to some unaccountable hallucination of intellect,
he seemed to imagine that I intended to set myself up as a sort
of animated target, for any one to shoot at who might have a
fancy so to do.

"According to this eccentric view of the case, the admiral had
the kindness to offer to fight me first, when, should he not have
the good fortune to put me out of the world, you were to try your
skill, doubtless.

"I need scarcely say that I object to these family arrangements.
You have challenged me, and, fancying the offence sufficient, you
defy me to mortal combat. If, therefore, I fight with any one at
all, it must be with you.

"You will clearly understand me, sir, that I do not accuse you of
being at all party to this freak of intellect of your uncle's.
He, no doubt, alone conceived it, with a laudable desire on his
part of serving you. If, however, to meet me, do so to-night, in
the middle of the park surrounding your own friends estate.

"There is a pollard oak growing close to a small pool; you, no
doubt, have noticed the spot often. Meet me there, if you please,
and any satisfaction you like I will give you, at twelve o'clock
this night.

"Come alone, or you will not see me. It shall be at your own
option entirely, to convert the meeting into a hostile one or
not. You need send me no answer to this. If you are at the place
I mention at the time I have named, well and good. If you an not,
I can only, if I please, imagine that you shrink from a meeting
with

"FRANCIS VARNEY."

Charles Holland read this letter twice over carefully, and then folding
it up, and placing it in his pocket, he said,--

"Yes, I will meet him; he may be assured that I will meet him. He shall
find that I do not shrink from Francis Varney In the name of honour,
love, virtue, and Heaven, I will meet this man, and it shall go hard
with me but I will this night wring from him the secret of what he
really is. For the sake of her who is so dear to me--for her sake, I
will meet this man, or monster, be he what he may."

It would have been far more prudent had Charles informed Henry
Bannerworth or George of his determination to meet the vampyre that
evening, but he did not do so. Somehow he fancied it would be some
reproach against his courage if he did not go, and go alone, too, for he
could not help suspect