r to another.
After the injury you have done me I think it quite
impossible that you should refuse.

Of course, I know that duels cannot be fought in England
because of the law. I am sorry that the law should have
been altered, because it allows so many cowards to escape
the punishment they deserve.

Tom, as he wrote this, was very proud of the keenness of the
allusion. "I am quite sure, however, that a man who bears the colours
of a colonel in the British army will not try to get off by such a
pretext." He was proud, too, about the colours.

France, Belgium, Italy, the United States, and all the
world, are open! I will meet you wherever you may choose
to arrange a meeting. I presume that you will prefer
pistols.

I send this by the hands of my friend, Mr. Faddle, who
will be prepared to make arrangements with you, or with
any friend on your behalf. He will bring back your reply,
which no doubt will be satisfactory.--I am, Sir, your most
obedient servant,

THOMAS TRINGLE, junior.

When, after making various copies, Tom at last read the letter as
finally prepared, he was much pleased with it, doubting whether the
Colonel himself could have written it better, had the task been
confided to his hands. When Faddle came, he read it to him with much
pride, and then committed it to his custody. After that they went out
and ate their dinner at Bolivia's with much satisfaction, but still
with a bearing of deep melancholy, as was proper on such an occasion.

CHAPTER XXXVI.

TOM TRINGLE GETS AN ANSWER.

Faddle as he went down into the country made up his mind that the law
which required such letters to be delivered by hand was an absurd
law. The post would have done just as well, and would have saved a
great deal of trouble. These gloomy thoughts were occasioned by a
conviction that he could not carry himself easily or make himself
happy among such "howling swells" as these Alburys. If they should
invite him to the house the matter would be worse that way than the
other. He had no confidence in his dress coat, which he was aware
had been damaged by nocturnal orgies. It is all very well to tell a
fellow to be as "big a swell" as anybody else, as Tom had told him.
But Faddle acknowledged to himself the difficulty of acting up to
such advice. Even the eyes of Colonel Stubbs turned upon him after
receipt of the letter would oppress him.

Nevertheless he must