passed on to the discussion of ways and means by which the coming duel
might be averted. But when they came to grips with facts, it seemed
that Sir Rowland had as little idea of what might be done as had the
ladies. True, he began by making the obvious suggestion that Richard
should tender Wilding a full apology. That, indeed, was the only door
of escape, and Blake shrewdly suspected that what the boy had been
unwilling to do last night - partly through wine, and partly through
the fear of looking fearful in the eyes of Lord Gervase Scoresby's
guests - he might be willing enough to do to-day, sober and upon
reflection. For the rest Blake was as far from suspecting Mr. Wilding's
peculiar frame of mind as had Richard been last night. This his words
showed.

"I am satisfied," said he, "that if Richard were to go to-day to Wilding
and express his regret for a thing done in the heat of wine, Wilding
would be forced to accept it as satisfaction, and none would think that
it did other than reflect credit upon Richard."

"Are you very sure of that?" asked Ruth, her tone dubious, her glance
hopefully anxious.

"What else is to be thought?"

"But," put in Diana shrewdly, "it were an admission of Richard's that he
had done wrong."

"No less," he agreed, and Ruth caught her breath in fresh dismay.

"And yet you have said that he did as you would have a son of yours
do," Diana reminded him.