The young officers, scarcely believing their own ears, were for a time struck dumb with astonishment, and they gazed at each other and at the colonel with looks of bewilderment and despair. ‘You see, gentlemen,’ said the colonel gravely, ‘that this question of the Life Guards’ helmets is of such importance that I deemed it advisable, since his lordship’s illness, to write to the Duke of Wellington on the subject; and I have here His Grace’s orders that the duel should be renewed again and again until the life of one of the combatants has been forfeited.’ As he spoke, Colonel A—— drew from the breast-pocket of his coatee a large letter, bearing on its envelope the words ‘On His Majesty’s Service’ in large black letters, and in one corner the notice in red ink, ‘Very Urgent.’ ‘But,’ said the young ensign, ‘his lordship has not recovered yet; besides’—— ‘When one can walk,’ interrupted the colonel, ‘one can also fire off a pistol; and it is not conducive to the interests and dignity of the service that so important a question as the equipment of His Majesty’s body-guard should any longer be left undecided.’ The two young officers, who had cemented their friendship anew during the period of illness, here took each other’s hands and gazed long and silently into each other’s face. Colonel A—— turned away to hide his emotion; for being really possessed of a kindly disposition, he began to regret the stern and unbending part he had been called upon to perform. Brushing the signs of his weakness away from his eyes, he turned once more towards the young officers and said: ‘Gentlemen, I have orders from England to supersede you in the regiment to which we all have the honour to belong; and I am only to waive the execution of these orders on condition that the duel is renewed, as already stated. Your honour is absolutely in your own hands, and you must choose your own course. I leave you to decide, gentlemen, what that course shall be, and bid you for the present adieu.’ So saying, the colonel left the two friends to decide upon their own fate. They ultimately decided to consult with their brother-officers on the subject, and to be guided by the general opinion. This opinion turned out to be in favour of another fight; and they once more proceeded to the place of meeting, each mentally resolving not to injure the other, but each exchanging portraits and letters for their friends. The fatal weapons were discharged, and Ensign Warbottle fell to the earth with a shot buried in his heart. The grief of Lord Vellum knew no bounds, for he had been led to believe that the balls had been withdrawn from the pistols. He threw himself on the inanimate body of his friend, and could with great difficulty be removed therefrom. At length he was conducted to the house of a married officer; and from there he indited a letter to Colonel A——, tendering his resignation, and reproaching the latter with the death of his friend.