The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 187: what you’re looking at

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

170 THE COURT OF LONDON same on the previous evening. But of course Lord Sack- ville and Lord Curzon looked as grave and solemn as if it were really a matter of life and death between them, while Macnamara and ‘Tash naturally supposed that everything was fair and proper, as they had not been let into the secret of the sham bullets. | Now, as it was the Earl of Curzon who, being ostensibly the aggrieved party, had challenged Lord Sackville, it was for the former to declare whether he was satisfied by the shots that had been exchanged, and to the ineffable disgust of Captain Tash, Mr. Macnamara said, on the part of his principal, ‘* Lord Curzon has no desire that this should go any further. He now reserves his wrongs for the considera- tion of that tribunal to which, as a matter of course, he will appeal.” Captain Tash was too conversant with the laws of duelling to persist in compelling the principals to continue hostilities, but ‘‘ he did not see the slightest reason why himself and Macnamara should not have a round or two with each other, just by way of ball-practice.’’ Such, indeed, was the pro- posal that he made with all the coolness in the world, and in those very words. “Since the captain,’ said Macnamara, coldly, “is so anxious that I should put a bullet through his head, I must really gratify him, in order to get rid of his importunity.”’ “ Not so,’ exclaimed Lord Curzon, flinging a glance of profound contempt upon Captain Tash, “ for in order that there should be a duel, there must be seconds, and I for one shall refuse to act in a case where no true and genuine cause of dispute has arisen.’ ‘ And I also shall refuse to serve as a second,” said Horace. “Come, Tash, no one doubts your courage, though every one does your prudence. Put up the pistols and let us be gone.” “By Heaven! I wish I had not left Robin at home,” said the captain, terribly put out at the idea of having no- body to fight with. ‘‘ He should exchange shots with me, I swear. It is not once out of a hundred times that I stir out unattended by my man Friday, and now, on the very occasion when he is so much wanted, he is not here. But I have it,’’ he suddenly exclaimed, his countenance brighten- ing up. Then, taking off his big bell-shaped hat, and ad- GOmiichboo “S (E(0)