Part 22 (1/2)

”d.a.m.n it, doctor!” returned Le Clere. ”It is no use to talk. I never imagined that youngster would take me at my word.”

”You will be in hot water here,” said the doctor. ”I would advise you to get away, and soon.”

”And we shall supply amus.e.m.e.nt to every mess in the army,” said Woodville, with an abundance of bad language. ”Quakers indeed!”

Jack's eyes opened, and he said, ”Thou art not hurt, Hugh?”

”No, no!” I answered, and, relieved a little, turned to Mr. Le Clere: ”We shall, I fear, have to ask thy chaise of thee. We came afoot. I will send it back at once.”

Le Clere said, ”Of course; with all my heart.”

”Thou wilt pardon me,” said I, ”if I advise thee to accept the doctor's advice, and get away with all speed. I should be sorry if thou wert arrested. The feeling against gentlemen of thy profession is unhappily strong just now.”

Le Clere looked me over with a quick glance of something like curiosity, and said, as he gave his hand, ”You are a gallant gentleman, Mr. Wynne.

You will permit an older man to say so. I trust we may meet again. Are all Quakers as clever at swordplay?”

I said a civil word, seeing Jack smile as he lay with my b.l.o.o.d.y coat under his head. Then, as I remembered that perhaps Mr. Woodville might not be satisfied, I went up to him and said, ”I am at thy service, sir, if thou art not contented to let us be quit of this matter.”

”It must needs rest now,” he replied. ”d.a.m.n your tricks!”

”Sir!” said I.

”Holloa!” says Le Clere; ”this won't do. Keep your temper. This way, Mr.

Wynne.” And he drew me aside.

It was full time; I was beginning to get my blood up, and was in a rage.

”This comes,” he said, ”of going out with a fellow that has risen from the ranks. Why do your ladies receive every one who wears a red coat?

Let me help you with your friend. I am most sorry. For my share, I have a neat reminder in the shoulder. Mr. Warder has the wrist of a blacksmith”--which was true, and for good reason.

There is no need to tell of the wrath and incapacity of poor Jack's father, I got away as soon as Dr. Rush arrived, and, promising to return in an hour, went off with a smile from my Jack, and a ”Thank G.o.d! Hugh, that it was not thou who had the worst of it.”

It was about seven as I knocked at my aunt's door, and, pa.s.sing the black page, ran upstairs. My aunt was in the breakfast-room; she came to meet me in a morning gown, and to my astonishment was very tranquil, but with eyes that looked anxious, and far more red than common.

”Sit down, sir. I want to hear about this ridiculous business.”

”It may seem so to thee,” said I; ”I am glad if it amuses thee.”

”Stuff! Talk decent English, man. That was like your father. Is--are you--is any one hurt?”

I said that was what we went for, and so told her the whole sorry business.

”And it was for me, sir!” she cried; ”for me! And my dear brave girl-boy! Is it dangerous?”

I hoped not. We had both left our marks on the English officers. That she liked. Then she was silent awhile.

”Here is come a note from the kitten. Will you have it? It may be all you will ever get of her. She says she has held her tongue; I can't--I don't believe her--and asks me to let her know if any are hurt. I will. Does she suppose gentlemen go out just to look at one another?

Ridiculous!”

I spoke at last of my father; of how he would take this matter, of his increasing acerbity, and of my own unhappy life, where I found nothing to replace my mother's love. My last disaster and poor Jack's wound seemed like enough to widen the gap between me and my parent, and my Aunt Gainor was troubled.