"This is sheer midsummer madness--put up thy toasting-fork, Hal. This is no time nor place for imitations of Ben Jonson's Bobadil. Zounds! man, you'll startle all the game with your roaring--and wherefore is all the disturbance?" "'Tis that you have traduced me, and injured me in the eyes of one, for a smile of whose lip thou well knowest I would lay down my life--for a touch of whose hand thou well knowest I would sell me to the Evil One--thou hast blackened me, and I will be avenged--ho! chicken-hearted boaster before women, and black-hearted traitor among men, will nothing rouse thee? Hear this, then--thou hast lied." "Thou mean'st it?" said Sir Stratford, and drew back a step or two. "I do--art thou man enough to cross points on that provocation?" "Oh, on far less, as thou well knowest, in the way of accommodating a young gentleman anxious to essay a feat of arms. Thou hast said the word, and we fight--but let me ask to what particular achievement of mine thou hast attached so ugly an epithet. I would fain know to what I am indebted for your good opinion so gallantly expressed." "I will but name two names--and between them thou wilt find how dastardly thy conduct has been." "Make it three--'twere pity to balk the Graces of their numbers; add the young lady who so lately left thee. The forester's fair daughter deserves a niche as well as a duke's daughter." "The names I mention," said Lawleigh, "are Lady Alice Lorrington, and Lady Mary Rosley." Sir Stratford lifted his cap. "Fair ladies," he said, "I greet you well; that I have sunned me in the bright blue eyes of one, and the dark lustrous glances of the other, is true--yet, 'tis but acting in love as people are justified in doing in other things. When health begins to fail, physicians recommend a change of climate--when admiration begins to decay, I always adopt a different style of beauty; when the cold climate is too severe, I fly to the sunny plains of Italy--when Lady Alice frowns, I go to bask in the smiles of Lady Mary." "And are a villain, a calumniator, and boaster in all--defend thyself." "As best I may," replied Sir Stratford, and drew his sword. It was easy for him to parry the rapid thrusts of his enraged adversary--and warily and slowly he was beginning the offensive in his turn, when a sudden flash was seen, a loud report took place, and the baronet was stretched upon the ground, weltering in his blood. Rapid steps ere heard retreating in the direction of the thicket in the park, and Lawleigh hurried to the paling, and saw the form of a tall man, in a dark velvet coat, disappear over the hedge."