the inn yard, and
this need never to have happened if he had known enough to have kept
his sense of humour to himself, which often happens in this world."

Reflectively, Colonel Royale murmured:

"One of the finest swordsmen in England."

For this I cared nothing.

Reflectively, Lord Strepp murmured: "My father's partner in the
shipping trade."

This last made me open my eyes. "Your father's partner in the shipping
trade, Lord Strepp? That little black rascal?"

The young nobleman looked sheepish.

"Aye, I doubt not he may well be called a little black rascal,
O'Ruddy," he answered; "but in fact he is my father's partner in
certain large--fairly large, you know--shipping interests. Of course
that is a matter of no consequence to me personally--but--I believe my
father likes him, and my mother and my sister are quite fond of him, I
think. I, myself, have never been able to quite--quite understand him
in certain ways. He seems a trifle odd at moments. But he certainly is
a friend of the family."

"Then," said I, "you will not be able to have the felicity of seeing
him kill me, Lord Strepp."

"On the contrary," he rejoined considerately, "I would regard it as
usual if he asked me to accompany him to the scene of the fight."

His remark, incidentally, that his sister was fond of Forister, filled
me with a sudden insolent madness.

"I would hesitate to disturb any shipping trade," I said with dignity.
"It is far from me to wish that the commerce of Great Britain should
be hampered by sword-thrust of mine. If it would please young Lord
Strepp, I could hand my apologies to Forister all tied up in blue-silk
ribbon."

But the youthful nobleman only looked at me long with a sad and
reproachful gaze.

"O'Ruddy," he said mournfully, "I have seen you do two fine things.
You have never seen me do anything. But, know you now, once and for
all, that you may not quarrel with me."

This was too much for an Irish heart. I was moved to throw myself on
this lad's neck. I wished to swear to him that I was a brother in
blood, I wished to cut a vein to give him everlasting strength--but
perhaps his sister Mary had something to do with this feeling.

Colonel Royale had been fidgeting. Now he said suddenly:

"Strepp, I wronged you. Your pardon, Mr. O'Ruddy; but, damme, Strepp,
if I didn't think you had gone wrong for the moment."

Lord Strepp took the offered hand. "You are a stupid old firebrain,"
he said affectionately t