Frances
put her hand on my shoulder and said coaxingly: "Forgive me. No harm
shall come to her through me."
Of course I was sorry that I had allowed myself to become angry, and at
once made my apology as well as I could.
"Let us go to see Betty, anyway," said Frances. And I assenting, she went
to fetch her cloak, hat, and vizard.
But when she returned, I had changed my mind and declined to go, telling
Frances that I must see Bettina no more.
"Why?" asked Frances.
"Because I would not win a love from her which I cannot accept."
"Baron Ned, there are few men who would be so considerate."
But I required little coaxing, and when Frances had made ready for the
journey, I buckled on my sword, which I had left standing in the corner,
took my hat from the floor, and started out with her.
While walking from the Bridge to the Old Swan, I remarked to Frances, "My
engagement with Mary Hamilton is likely to be broken by her family."
"Why, Baron Ned?" she asked in surprise.
"Count Hamilton has challenged me to a duel, to be fought when he
returns, and you see, if I kill him or if he kills me, well--" I
answered, shrugging my shoulders.
She was much alarmed at my disclosure, but was reassured when I made
light of the affair, probably because there was no danger in it to George
Hamilton, and, perhaps, because if I should kill Count Hamilton, George
would inherit the title and estates.
Pages:
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294