You offer me honorable combat, and you
do me an honor, which I appreciate. Let us finish. The place, time, and
weapons?'
"There was, then, something not altogether base in this man. I listened
with joy. I had expected to encounter a wretch without a single
attribute of the gentleman.
"'You accept this honorable combat, then?' I said.
"'With thanks,' he replied.
"'You wish to fight as gentlemen fight?'
"'Yes.'
"'You fence well?'
"'Yes--but you?'
"'Sufficiently well.'
"'Are you certain? I warn you I am excellent at the foils.'
"'They suit me--that is agreed on, then?'
"He bowed, and said:--
"'Yes. And now, as to the place, the time, and every detail. All that I
leave to you.'
"I bowed in turn.
"'Then nothing will delay our affair. I have ordered a grave to be dug,
in a private spot, on the river. The foils are ready, with the buttons
broken, the points sharpened. The carriage has been ordered. A ride of
fifteen minutes will bring us to the grave, which is done by this time,
and we can settle our differences there, by moonlight, without
witnesses or interruption.'
"Mortimer looked at me with a sinister smile.
"'You are provident!' he said, briefly. 'I understand. The one who
falls will give no trouble. The grave will await him, and he can enter
at once upon his property!'
"'Yes.
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