gentleman_.' Mr. Ham's face was dark with rage; but it soon began
to assume its ashen colour.

'Now, sir, Mr. Gray's father is a younger son of a fifth earl in the
British peerage. He is therefore by blood fit to meet in the field of
honour the grandson of a--_Nobody_. Then, sir, as to the undefined
charges against his character, they are gratuitous falsehoods. If,
with these facts before you, a refusal of satisfaction is still made,
I have only this to say: the unpleasant task of horsewhipping you
remains to my friend; while the duty of proclaiming your cowardice
remains to me. What is your answer?'

'Though your language has been such as I never believed that anybody
would dare use in my house, I am constrained to accept your statements
respecting your friend's fitness to meet me in the field of honour.'
Then, as a spasm of terror almost convulsed him, he suddenly asked:

'What weapons does he propose? I cannot fence.'

'This is a matter that your friend and I shall arrange. The choice
of weapons, however, I may add, rests with your side.'

'Then please wait till I write a note to--Jabez Drummond,' and the
fellow, taking a pen, seated himself at his desk. But his fears had
so unnerved him that he made several attempts before he could get the
pen into the ink bottle; and wasted several sheets of paper before
his hand was steady enough to produce legible writing. When he had
ended he turned to the visitor:

'Will you not take a glass of spirits before you go? Will you not