informed me that the count had written him word that he should be for
some time absent from England. Rushing thence, in despair, to your
friend Lord L'Estrange, I heard that your daughter was safe with you.
And though, as I have just proved, I would have risked my life against so
notorious a duellist as the count, on the mere chance of preserving
Violante from his supposed designs, I am rejoiced to think that she had
no need of my unskilful arm. But how and why can the count have left
England after accepting a challenge? A man so sure of his weapon, too,--
reputed to be as fearless of danger as he is blunt in conscience.
Explain,--you who know mankind so well,--explain. I cannot." The
philosopher could not resist the pleasure of narrating the detection and
humiliation of his foe, the wit, ingenuity, and readiness of his friend.
So Randal learned, by little and little, the whole drama of the preceding
night. He saw, then, that the exile had all reasonable hope of speedy
restoration to rank and wealth. Violante, indeed; would be a brilliant
prize,--too brilliant, perhaps, for Randal, but not to be sacrificed
without an effort. Therefore wringing convulsively the hand of his
meditated father-in-law, and turning away his head as if to conceal his
emotions, the ingenuous young suitor faltered forth that now Dr.
Riccabocca was so soon to vanish into the Duke di Serrano, he--Randal
Leslie of Rood, born a gentleman, indeed, but of fallen fortunes--had no
right to claim the promise which had been given to him while a father had
cause to fear for a daughter's future; with the fear ceased the promise.
Alight Heaven bless father and daughter both!

This address touched both the heart and honour of the exile. Randal
Leslie knew his man. And though, before Randal's visit, Riccabocca was
not quite so much a philosopher but what he would have been well pleased
to have found himself released, by proof of the young man's treachery,
from an alliance below the rank to which he had all chance of early