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"Serious! I contemplate the consequences with feelings of horror. Unless you can break down the evidence against you, your death may be the immediate result; and failing that, your ruin as a professional man will be inevitable. Sir Charles is in a state of mind bordering upon madness. He has ever since been raving for revenge. He cast Lady Julian off instantly; and, but for the interposition of the servants, would have killed her; and now he has sent a friend to you to demand immediate satisfaction."

"Is it possible?"

"That friend is now in the room adjoining, where, as he called upon me first, not knowing your address, I begged of him to remain until I had seen you."

"Well," said Sylvester, thoughtfully; "the thing appears to be coming to a crisis! But, be assured of this, that I was not there. Will you," he added, calmly, "do me the favour to introduce him?"

Mr. Scholefield, with an expression of sorrow, then rose and left the room; and having been absent for a moment, returned with Sir William D'Almaine.

"This," said Sir William, on taking a seat, "is indeed a most unhappy affair; but as I can have no desire to harrow your feelings, I will, if you will favour me with the name of a friend, go immediately and consult him."

"Sir William," returned Sylvester, "Sir Charles is mistaken. He imagines that I was at his house last night, or rather this morning. I was not."

"You were not? Do you intend, then, as a defence, to adopt a denial?"

"I do; and in doing so, defend myself with truth."

"Well; but Sir Charles himself saw you! and so did his butler!"

"It is a mistake! they did not see me."

"Oh! that will not do at all! Sir Charles assures me, upon his honour, that he saw you; and I am, of course, bound to believe him."

"You may perhaps believe that which he himself believes; but I deny that you are bound to adopt the belief of any man."

"This is not belief, merely: he knows that you were there."

"How is it possible for you to know that?"

"He declares that you were, upon his honour!"

"And I, upon my honour, declare that I was not!"

"Equivocation, you must allow me to observe, in affairs of this kind, will not do."

"I scorn equivocation, and despise the man who is mean enough to have recourse to it. I state upon my honour that I was not there; and to that statement—based as it is upon truth—I will adhere, let the consequences be what they may."

"Pardon me. You are a young man, and, therefore, you will, perhaps, allow me to observe that, in cases of this description, you have but one course to pursue."

"I am aware of it. I have but one course to pursue, and that is the course of truth, which I will pursue."

"Then am I to understand distinctly that you refuse to refer me to a friend?"