Perkins was a man of coolness and courage. He took his position with admirable nonchalance; but I observed, when his eyes met mine, that they were darkened with a scowl of anger. His brows were contracted, and his face which was ordinarily red, had an increased flush upon it which betrayed unusual excitement. He evidently regarded me with feelings of bitter animosity. Perhaps this was natural enough, if he believed the story of Mrs. Clifford--and my scornful answer to his friend, Mr. Carter, was not calculated to lessen the soreness. For my part, I am free to declare, I had not the smallest sentiment of unkindness toward the fellow. I thought little of him, but did not hate--I could not have hated him. I had no wish to do him hurt; and, as already stated, only went out to put a stop to the further annoyances of insolents and bullies, by the only effectual mode--precisely as I should have used a bludgeon over his head, in the event of a personal assault upon me. Of course, I had no purpose to do him any injury, unless--with the view to my own safety. I resolved secretly to throw away my fire. Kingsley suspected me of some such intention, and earnestly protested against it. “I should not place you at all,” he said, “if I fancied you could do a thing so d---d foolish. The fellow intends to shoot you if he can. Help him to a share of the same sauce.” I nodded as he proceeded to his arrangements. Here some conference ensued between the seconds:-- “Mr. Carter was very sorry that such a business must proceed. Was it yet too late to rectify mistakes? Might not the matter be adjusted?” Kingsley, on such occasions, the very prince of punctilio, agreed that the matter was a very lamentable one--to be regretted, and so forth--but of the necessity of the thing, he, Mr. Carter, for his principal, must be the only judge. “Mr. Carter could answer for his friend, Mr. Perkins, that he was always accessible to reason.” “Mr. Kingsley never knew a man more so than HIS principal.” “May we not reconcile the parties?” demanded Mr. Carter. “Does Mr. Perkins withdraw his message?” answered Kingsley by another question. “He would do so, readily, were there any prospect of adjusting the matter upon an honorable footing.” “Mr. Carter will be pleased to name the basis for what he esteems an honorable adjustment.” “Mr. Perkins withdraws his challenge.” “We have no objection to that.” “He substitutes a courteous requisition upon Mr. Clifford for an explanation of certain language, supposed to be offensive, made to a lady.” “Mr. Clifford denies, without qualification, the employment of any such language.” “This throws us back on our old ground,” said Carter--“there is a lady in question--” “Who can not certainly be brought into the controversy,” said Kingsley--“I see no other remedy, Mr. Carter, but that we should place the parties. We are here to answer to your final summons.”