"That, my Lord Duke, is easily told, and in a very few words, if worthy the inquiry.--My name is David Bruce, of Turnberry Castle, in Ayrshire, a Baronet of Nova-Scotia, whom chance, or fate, or circumstances, all combined, placed me a volunteer in the Brandenburgh hussars, where I arose from that humble station to command the regiment, by merits not my own."
"Pardon my interruption, Sir David Bruce," rejoined the duke, "that is, in sooth, the only part of thy reply upon which I must put a decided negative!"
"Well," replied the baronet, with a cheering smile, "your too favourable construction, my Lord Duke, I may not be prepared to gainsay."
"No, no;" continued the Duke of Tyrconnel, "you could not--you cannot--it is too palpable--it is too self-evident! Your courage and powerful arm in the day of battle are strong as your lofty adamantine mountains, while in peace your heart is soft and tender as the thistle-down of your own dear native land! Come, come, no reply, young baronet, you must needs gang with me, as you say in Scotland; and we must indeed be better acquainted!--You surely will not refuse to dine with me to-day, when I shall have great pleasure to present you to my duchess and my daughter as my friend, and the gallant preserver of my life! Come, Sir David, no ambages, no circumlocution, no apology will I take! Nay, nay, you must not hide behind the screen of modesty, and denied or refused I must not be!--So I shall certainly expect you."
"Your Grace's invitation carries with it so much of interest and of kindness, that it is not for me to refuse such inducements, and I gratefully and willingly accede to it. My Lord Duke, I shall duly obey your kind and hospitable summons."
"At three o'clock then," added the duke, "I shall hope for the pleasure of seeing you at my mansion in the _Rue Ducale_."
Here the duke and the baronet cordially shook hands, and parted; the duke to resume his ride, and Sir David Bruce to complete his morning's promenade.
Sir David Bruce, punctual to the hospitable summons, was the first guest to arrive in due time at the _Maison de Tyrconnel_. As he entered the drawing-room--"The knight of Chester walls, _le chevalier inconnu_," was inadvertently vociferated by the duchess, accompanied by the all wondering chorus of all that were present--"It is astonishing----indeed it is most astonishing!"