ar on my road to this place, when, not choosing, for certain
reasons, to pass through the old village, I struck by a footpath
into the woods which separate it from the new Spa, leaving my
carriage and people to go the carriage-way. I had not walked half a
mile when I heard the footsteps of some one behind, and, looking
round, what should I behold but the face in the world which I most
cordially hate and abhor--I mean that which stands on the shoulders
of my right trusty and well-beloved cousin and counsellor, Saint
Francis. He seemed as much confounded as I was at our unexpected
meeting; and it was a minute ere he found breath to demand what I
did in Scotland, contrary to my promise, as he was pleased to
express it.--I retaliated, and charged him with being here, in
contradiction to his.--He justified, and said he had only come down
upon the express information that I was upon my road to St.
Ronan's.--Now, Harry, how the devil should he have known this hadst
thou been quite faithful? for I am sure, to no ear but thine own did
I breathe a whisper of my purpose.--Next, with the insolent
assumption of superiority, which he founds on what he calls the
rectitude of his purpose, he proposed we should both withdraw from a
neighbourhood into which we could bring nothing but wretchedness.--I
have told you how difficult it is to cope with the calm and resolute
manner that the devil gifts him with on such occasions; but I was
determined he should not carry the day this time. I saw no chance
for it, however, but to put myself into a towering passion, which,
thank Heaven, I can always do on short notice.--I charged him with
having imposed formerly on my youth, and made himself judge of my
rights; and I accompanied my defiance with the strongest terms of
irony and contempt, as well as with demand of instant satisfaction.
I had my travelling pistols with me, (_et pour cause_,) and, to my
surprise, my gentleman was equally provided.--For fair play's sake,
I made him take one of my pistols--right Kuchenritters--a brace of
balls in each, but that circumstance I forgot.--I would fain have
argued the matter a little longer; but I thought at the time, and
think still, that the best arguments which he and I can exchange,
must come from the point of the sword, or the muzzle of the
pistol.--We fired nearly t