She found her little groom already at the door with the horses. She sprang into her saddle, and, bidding Jem follow her, took the road toward Tip-Top. She knew that Mr. Le Noir was in the habit of riding to the village every morning, and she determined to meet him. She knew, from the early hour of the day, that he could not possibly be ahead of her, and she rode on slowly to give him an opportunity to overtake her. Probably Craven Le Noir was later that morning than usual, for Capitola had reached the entrance of the village before she heard the sound of his horse's feet approaching behind her. She did not wish that their encounter should be in the streets of the village, so she instantly wheeled her horse and galloped back to meet him. As both were riding at full speed, they soon met. She first drew rein, and, standing in his way, accosted him with: "Mr. Le Noir!" "Your most obedient, Miss Black!" he said, with a deep bow. "I happen to be without father or brother to protect me from affront, sir, and my uncle is an invalid veteran whom I will not trouble! I am, therefore, under the novel necessity of fighting my own battles! Yesterday, sir, I sent you a note demanding satisfaction for a heinous slander you circulated against me! You replied by an insulting note. You do not escape punishment so! Here are two pistols; both are loaded; take either one of them; for, sir, we have met, and now we do not part until one of us falls from the horse!" And so saying, she rode up to him and offered him the choice of the pistols. He laughed--partly in surprise and partly in admiration, as he said, with seeming good humor: "Miss Black, you are a very charming young woman, and delightfully original and piquant in all your ideas; but you outrage all the laws that govern the duello. You know that, as the challenged party, I have the right to the choice of time, place and arms. I made that choice yesterday. I renew it to-day. When you accede to the terms of the meeting I shall endeavor to give you all the satisfaction you demand! Good-morning, miss." And with a deep bow, even to the flaps of his saddle, he rode past her. "That base insult again!" cried Capitola, with the blood rushing to her face. Then lifting her voice, she again accosted him: "Mr. Le Noir!" He turned, with a smile. She threw one of the pistols on the ground near him, saying: "Take that up and defend yourself." He waved his hand in negation, bowed, smiled, and rode on. "Mr. Le Noir!" she called, in a peremptory tone. Once more he turned. She raised her pistol, took deliberate aim at his white forehead, and fired-- Bang! bang! bang! bang! bang! bang! Six times without an instant's intermission, until her revolver was spent. When the smoke cleared away, a terrible vision met her eyes! It was Craven Le Noir with his face covered with blood, reeling in his saddle, from which he soon dropped to the ground.