down the path.

"I have broken my cane, that is the worst of it," said her protector
coolly, looking regretfully down at the fragment he still held in his
hand.

"You must have struck very hard, and oh, Mr. Travilla, what if he
should take it into his head to challenge you?" and Elsie turned pale
with terror.

"Never fear; he is too arrant a coward for that; he knows I am a good
shot, and that, as the challenged party, I would have the right to
the choice of weapons."

"But you wouldn't fight, Mr. Travilla? you do not approve of
duelling?"

"So, no indeed, Elsie; both the laws of God and of the land are
against it, and I could not engage in it either as a good citizen or a
Christian."

"Oh, I am so glad of that, and that you came to my rescue; for I was
really growing frightened, Arthur seemed in such a fury with me."

"What was it about?"

Elsie explained, then asked how he had happened to come to her aid.

"I had learned from the servants that your father and mother were both
out, so came here in search of you," he said. "As I drew near I saw