His eye was calm and unshrinking. He did not move an
inch when I placed my pistol muzzle upon his breast. At the words which
I uttered he withdrew his hand from his cloak--he had returned the
weapon to its place--and with a penetrating glance, said:--
"'What do you wish, sir; as you declare you await me?'
"'Ask madam,' I said, 'or rather exert your own ingenuity.'
"'My ingenuity?'
"'In guessing.'
"'Why not tell me?'
"'So be it. The matter is perfectly simple, sir. I wish to kill you, or
give you an opportunity to kill me--is that plain?'
"'Quite so,' replied Mortimer, without moving a muscle.
"'I can understand, without further words, that all explanations and
discussions are wholly useless.'
"'Wholly.'
"'You wish to fight me,' he said.
"'Yes.'
"'To put an end to me, if possible?'
"'Yes.'
"'Well, I will give you that opportunity, sir, and, even return you my
thanks for not killing me on the spot.'
"He paused a moment, and looked keenly at me.
"'This whole affair is infamous,' he said. 'I knew that when I
undertook it. I was once a gentleman, and have not forgotten every
thing I then learned, whatever my practice may be. You have been
tricked and deceived. You have been made the victim of a disgraceful
plot, and I was the author of the whole affair; though this lady would,
herself, have been equal to that, or even more.
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