The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 156: what you’re looking at

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

CHRISTIAN AND ALEXIS 135 hero had resolved to fire wide of his mark, for he would not on any account incur the risk of taking a life nor even of maiming a fellow creature, if such results could possibly be avoided. The two antagonists were placed according to the usual rules of what are called “ affairs of honour;’’ the seconds stood aside, the surgeon was waiting at a still greater dis- tance. Wilson Stanhope was to give the signal by dropping a handkerchief, and all was now in readiness for that portion of the ceremony. The handkerchief fell, the pistols were discharged. Chris- tian heard the whizz of his antagonist’s bullet close by his ear, and he escaped unhurt. A cry burst from the lips of Alexis, the pistol fell from his hand, and the right arm which had sustained it dropped to his side. Being nothing of a shot, Christian had not noticed that while endeavouring to fire wide of the living target, a slight turn of his own body had brought his weapon within almost fatal aim of his an- tagonist, and thus, most unintentionally, most innocently, had he wounded that opponent. The surgeon was quickly upon the spot, and it was speedily ascertained that Chris- tian’s bullet had struck Oliver’s right arm, near the elbow. Nothing could exceed our young hero’s grief, but Stanley represented to him that he had really no need thus to tor- ment himself, for that it was Oliver himself who had pro- voked the duel. The surgeon positively declared that no fatal result was likely to ensue, and Alexis, touched by every- thing Christian said, proffered him his hand, exclaiming, ‘* Let us henceforth be friends.”’ The parties were now about to leave the ground, when Christian, accosting Wilson Stanhope, said to him, “ It is of the highest importance that I should have a few words with you presently. Tell me where we can meet. Will you call upon me at my lodgings at noon, or shall I come to your house? ”’ Stanhope was surprised at this address, and he said, ‘““ Why not speak to me here, Mr. Ashton? ”’ “When you learn what I have to say,’ replied our hero, ‘you will thank me for arranging that we should be alone together.”’ | ‘“ Be it, then, as you will,’’ rejoined Stanhope. ‘I will call upon you at twelve punctually.”’ GOMIIGDOG SS) (S©)