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bedt of the wrodg he had idflicted; but id a case like yours, a bad has doe right to go add stick hibself up like a target, add say to his oppodedt, id effect, 'Fire away! I have dot idjured you: dor shall I fire at you. I cabe out edtirely for your satisfactiod; therefore kill be if you cad.' It isd't a fair positiod for a bad to be placed id. It is, id fact, adythidg but a fair positiod."
"The position," said Sylvester, "is certainly unfair; and one point which you have suggested, will be sufficient to induce me not to fire as I intended. I'll not fire in the air lest it should be considered a tacit acknowledgment of guilt. No, I'll fire on one side."
"Id that case, the secodds had better look out. If you dod't bide, you'll burder wud of theb."
Sylvester smiled; and from this time till six Tom did all in his power to amuse him, and when Mr. Scholefield arrived with the chaise, he found him as calm and as firm as ever.
"You'll dot let be go thed?" said Tom.
"I should like you to go," returned Sylvester; "but of course it would not be exactly correct."
"Not exactly!" observed Mr. Scholefield.
"I could hadg od behide! But I'll dot do that. I suppose you bust have all the fud to yourselves. Adieu, old fellow! I'll wait at hobe for you. Drive back here ibbediately all is over. Adieu!"
Sylvester pressed his hand with warmth, and having said calmly,—"Tom—God bless you!" he joined Mr. Scholefield, who was apprehensive still, and they entered the postchaise together.
The meeting had been arranged to take place at Wormwood Scrubs, and on their way Mr. Scholefield was constantly looking back. This Sylvester ascribed to an anxiety to ascertain if Sir Charles were behind them; and when he heard him order the postboy to drive more slowly, he suggested that Sir Charles might be ahead.
"He may be," replied Mr. Scholefield; "I have no doubt he is."
He, nevertheless, continued to look anxiously behind, until suddenly his countenance assumed a gay expression, and he ordered the postboy to drive on fast.
On their arrival at the appointed spot, they found Sir Charles on the ground, and Mr. Scholefield, on alighting, went up to Sir William, with whom he for some time conversed. Everything bearing the semblance of an arrangement was of course out of the question, and as such was the case, the pistols were loaded and the ground was measured, but just as the principals were about to be placed, the general, with two officers, sprang upon the ground, exclaiming, "There are your prisoners!"
"What right, sir," demanded Sir Charles, fiercely, "What earthly right have you to interfere?"
"What right!" returned the general. "Independently of my common right as a man, I have the right of a father, firmly resolved to vindicate the honour of his child."
"Can the honour of your daughter be vindicated thus?"
"We shall see: we shall see. It never could be vindicated were you now to fall. No, no, Sir Charles; I can't spare you yet."