is castle, and seek a more suitable
place for the indulgence of the secret enmity which you appear to bear
toward each other. This time, colonel, you are in the wrong. I regret
to be compelled to say to you that, if sir Mac Donalbain took your
remark somewhat too sharply, yet you gave occasion therefor by the
scornful tone in which it was made. Therefore you owe it to me and to
him to take the first step toward a reconciliation; and you cannot be
considered my friend, if you refuse to drink the health of this noble
Scot, which I now propose.'

A struggle was now seen in the proud Frenchman, between the hatred he
bore his enemy and the respect due from him to the father of Christine.
He cast a tiger glance upon Mac Donalbain, which was met by one equally
fierce, and not being able to come to a determination what to do, he
waited in moody silence, neither accepting nor rejecting the goblet
offered to him by the governor.

'Do you hesitate?' earnestly asked the governor. 'As yet neither of you
has said any thing to the other which can be considered injurious to
the honor of a gentleman. This is only a misunderstanding, which must
be completely reconciled. If you refuse this, you thereby confess an
intention to offend sir Mac Donalbain, and it will become my duty as
host to resent it as if the offence were intended for me.'

Megret seized the goblet, 'The lord of this castle,' said he with
suppressed rage to Mac Donalbain, 'calls you a noble Scot. As I have
not the pleasure of an intimate acquaintance with you, I am willing to
consider the statement which has so noble a voucher as true, and upon
that supposition I drink your health.'

'I receive the toast and return it with as much sincerity as it was
offered,' answered Mac Donalbain, emptying his glass.

The governor, observing that the anger of the two belligerents still
remained, in spite of the constrained and ambiguous reconciliation,
thought it prudent to give the signal for retiring.

'That we may be able to start early in the morning,' said he, rising,
'I hope my worthy guests will excuse me if I break up the sitting
earlier than usual. I intend to seek my bed betimes, that I may be the
better prepared for the fatigues of the journey, and therefore wish you
a good night.'

'I shall have the honor to be at the door of your carriage by sunrise,
ready for the journey,' said Megret, bowing and retiring.

'As I must start this evening for Arnaes,' said Mac Donal