Charles Tyrrell; or, The Bitter Blood. Volumes I and IIJames, G. P. R. (George Payne Rainsford)
General
Charles Tyrrell; or, The Bitter Blood. Volumes I and II
James, G. P. R. (George Payne Rainsford)
England -- Social life and customs -- 19th century -- Fiction; Murder -- Fiction
Charles Tyrrell was in no mood for making apologies, and he replied,
"I certainly did strike him, sir, and served him perfectly right. I
shall, therefore, make no apology whatsoever for having chastised a
person who deserved it. As he is an officer in his majesty's navy, I
find, I will give him at once that satisfaction which his conduct does
not merit; but as I am obliged to return to Oxford to-morrow, and, as
you see, have no inducement to remain here, I can give him no great
time for preparation, and will name, if you please, the hour of six
to-morrow morning."
"These things can never be settled too soon, when once they are
determined upon," replied the young officer: "and we will not fail to
be upon the ground, if you will name the spot."
"That is easily settled," replied Charles. "You see that hill," he
continued, pointing to Harbury Hill, the summit of which just peeped
over the trees of the park, and was visible at his windows. "It is a
good landmark for all the country round, so you cannot miss it. On the
top there is a flat piece of ground, it having been an old encampment.
We will meet there, if you please, at six precisely. I may have some
difficulty in finding a friend to accompany me upon the occasion, as
this neighbourhood is somewhat thin of gentlemen; but nothing shall
prevent my coming."
A few formal speeches of a courteous and civil character ended the
matter, and Charles, ushering his visiter to the door, closed it, and
remained alone, to think over the approaching event and the necessary
preparations. To whom could he apply, he asked himself. Where could he
find pistols, for he had none of his own. Everard Morrison, he doubted
not, was by this time gone; and even if he were not, Charles had
little doubt that, if he made known his circumstances to him, and
asked him to buy him pistols and accompany him to the field, the young
lawyer would positively refuse to do either, and would cause his
footsteps to be dogged by officers rather than assist him in a breach
of the peace.
The only two other young men in the neighbourhood with whom he was at
all intimate, he knew to be absent, and he paused thoughtfully over a
situation of some difficulty and discomfort. His mind then suddenly
reverted to Mr. Driesen. He would, it is true, have chosen any other
person upon the first impulse; but that gentleman, nevertheless, upon
second thoughts, appeared to him much more eligible than anybody he
could select.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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