"I do not believe you," she said, still holding me with her calm, bright eyes.
I felt the hot blood flushing my face, but neither in her tone nor manner did she condemn me or speak as one who despised a man caught in a falsehood. Rather she was reproachful.
"There is some other reason," she said, "and you will not tell it to me, but I shall not ask you again."
"Promise me that you will not fight this duel, Lieutenant Melville."
I was as much surprised at the request as I had been when she asked me why Belfort and I were to meet. It was my first thought that she was in fear for him, and I asked with a little malice,--
"Do you make the same request of Lieutenant Belfort?"
When I saw the faint flush of color rising in her face, I was sorry that I had asked the question.
"No," she replied, "I would not make such a request of him, although I have known him longer than I have you."
I was pleased, greatly pleased; but she reminded me that I had not answered her question.
"The challenge has been issued," I said, "and if I withdraw at so late a moment I should be called a coward. Would you have me bear such a name in Philadelphia?"
A look of sadness replaced the flush on her face.
"It is a barbarous custom, I think," she said, "and belongs to a barbarous age. It is merely the better swordsman or marksman who wins, and not of necessity the better man. It decides no more than the hot ploughshare of the Middle Ages, and of the two customs I think the trial by hot iron was the saner."
I was silent, again not knowing what to answer, and she too said no more. I believe that at the last, and after weighing my evasions, she began to guess why Belfort and I had quarrelled. In a few moments we joined the others, and we bore the ladies company to their houses. Belfort was silent and moody over his failure, and bade us a brief adieu. It was ten o'clock then, and soon we were due at Catron's rooms to arrange for the duel. But before the time had elapsed the man Waters came to our quarters, his evil eyes peering under his shock of red hair.
"Confound it," I cried, "your company is an honor that I can well do without!"
"I would not intrude," he said, "but I am sent by the commander-in-chief, Sir William Howe, himself, who wishes you to come at once to his headquarters."