The Mysteries of the Court of London Vol. 7 — page 315: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

eee ee Qe se = os er = = eT Pe ee eee a mon; and almost immediately after this dcstina- tion wes reached, Mr. Stanbope and Aloxis Oliver made their appearance upon the scene. _ Captéin Stanley advanced towards Mr. Stan- hope; and taking him aside, said, “ Havo you thought of what passed between us last even- P “T bore in mind the representations you made mo, Captain Stanicy,” was the response; “and I spoke to Oliver—but he is determined to fight.” “They are after all two mera boys!” observed Stanley; “and it is really a pity that, this affair should go to such a Jength.” . “Oliver is furious against your principal,” said Mr. Stanhope; “and though he has not ecquainted me with the circumstances, yet if I may judge by the general tevour of his conduct, the provocation ho received must have been immense.” “Then it is impossible,” said Captain Stanley, "to avoid ai exchange of shots P” “ Tmpossiblo |”? rejoined Stanhope. ; “But you will. bear in mind,” resumed $tarloy, “that if I have just now spokon—as well as dust evening —in pacifico terms, jt haa been entirely without the knowledge of Mr. Ashton, I would not for the World you should conceive that it was at his inetigation——" © = Your word, Oaptain Stanley,” interrupted Stan- hope, “is sufficient on the point! I might have said that the only way of settling the matter ami- cably is by means of the auiplest apology on Mr. Ashton’s part-——” “ And that apology,” sqid Captain Stanley, “he would not make, even if [ proffered my advice in such a sense—which however I should not do: for as 1 myself am acquainted with &ll the oiroum- etances—and indeed was more or less implicated in them—l] do not conceive that Mr. Ashton bas acted improperly.” | “We will now, with yqur permission,” said Stanhope, “ proceed to measuro tho ground and load the pistols,’ These poffions of the ceremony were soon accom- plished; and Stanley, accosting Ashton, said ¢ him, “ My doar young friend, have You anyinstruc- tions to give, in addition to those with which I am already acquainted P"” “None,” replied our hero, in a vaice that trembled not, “If I fall, Stanley, certain lettors will be found upon me—as I have already informed you; and should that result compel yourto take charge of them, you will exccuto your mission with all pussible caution and delicacy.” “Rost assured, my dear friend, that such shall Be the caso !”—and Captain Sta:ley’s voice trem- bled with emotion, while with fervour be shook Christian by the hand. In the meanwhile Wilson Stanhope had con- ferred with Alexis Oliver; and these preliminaries being settled,-the seconds gave he weapons into the hands of the principals. Obristian had at firdt thought of receiving hip opponent's fire and of dis- charging is own weapen in the ir: but matarer refleotion Had determived hith to abandon this plap. io fo t jt would be a complete prevention to the possible demand of Alexis Oliver for 4 second she, of might therofore be deemed an ent of cowardipe rather than of magnanimity on his own, fer But on the other band, our young hero had lved | fre f. wide of bis mark; fur he would not : 4 a 4. Wien. EE Ser 2 ay THE MYSTERIES OF THD COURT. on any Becount inour the risk of taking a life nor eveb of maiming a fellow-creature, if such results could possibly be avoided. The two antagonista were placed according tq the usual rules of what are called “ affairs of honour:” the seconds stood aside—the aurgeon was waiting a¢ a still greater distance. Wilson Stan- hope was to give the signal by dropping a hand- herchiefs and all was now in madiness for that portion of the ceremony. The handkerchief fell — the pistols were dis- charged—Christian heard the whiss of his anta- gonist’s bullet close by his ear—and he escaped’ unliurt. A ory buret from the lips of Alexis; the pistol fell from his hand — and the right arm which had sustained it dropped to his side. Being no- thing of a shot, Christian had not noticed that while ondeavouring to fire wide of the living target, a slight turoa of his own budy had brought his weepun within almost fatal aim of his antagonist g and thus, most unintontionally—miost innucently, had he wognded that opponent. Tho surgeon was quickly upon the spot; and it was speedily ascor- tained that eChristian’s bullet had struck Olivor’s right arm, near the elbow. Nothing could exceed our young hero's gricf: but Stanley represented to him that he had really no need thus to torment himself, for that it was Ofiver himself who had provoked the duel. Tho surgton pusitively declared that no fatal result was likely to ensue; and Alexia, touched by evorything Christian anid, prof- fered’ him his hand, exclaiming, “ Let us henco- forth be friends!” The parties were now about to leave the ground, when Christian, accostiney Wilson Stanhope, sud tohim, “It is of the highest importance that I should have a few words with you presently. Tell me whore we can meet. Will you call upyn me at iny lodgings at noon? or shall I eumo to your house P” ' Stanhope was surprised at this address;,and he said, “ Why uot speak to me here, Mr. Ashton P” “When you learn what I have tu say,” replied our hero, “you wil thank me for arranging that we should be alone together.” “ Bo it, then, as you will!” rejuined Stanhope. “T will call upon you at twelve punctually.” Christjun mentioned bis address; and we should add that befure the partics finally quitted the ground, it was agreed, for the sahev of all, to keep the whole affair as quiet as possible. ‘ Notwithstanding our hero hud displayed so much firmness and courage, it would be ridiculous to ase sert that ho was not infinitely rejoiced at his own escape from death or injury: though, on the othor hand, hu was greatly aiflicted, as we havo already said, on ‘account of the failyre of his attempt to spnre bis advérsary. Ou returning to London, he tuok his leave of Stanloy, whow he warmly thanked for his co operation ; und be proceeded to bis own lodgings. Mre. Macauluy and the servants fancied that hé must have gone out at that early hour on some business connécted with the caso of Lord Clandon ; and therefore nyt for an instant did they guspect thet he had been risking hie life in a duel, It was with a feeling of indescribable satisfaction that he destroyed the letters which he bed written; and he now awaited the hour when Wilson Stan- hope was to call upon him, A little after twelve o’cluck the expected visitoe e emcee nen c enn nnn ener ere etnies MND = aie oe ECOMRniclacae SS (CO)