have shrunk from this petty gall upon the wrung withers; but, as I have said, there is a terrible disconnection between the author and the man. The first is always at our mercy--of the last we know nothing. At such an hour Maltravers could feel none of the contempt that proud--none of the wrath that vain, minds feel at these stings. He could feel nothing but an undefined abhorrence of the world, and of the aims and objects he had pursued so long. Yet that even he did not then feel. He was in a dream; but as men remember dreams, so when he awoke did he loathe his own former aspirations, and sicken at their base rewards. It was the first time since his first year of inexperienced authorship that abuse had had the power even to vex him for a moment. But here, when the cup was already full, was the drop that overflowed. The great column of his past world was gone, and all else seemed crumbling away. At length Colonel Danvers entered. Maltravers drew him aside, and they left the club. “Danvers,” said the latter, “the time in which I told you I should need your services is near at hand; let me see you, if possible, to-night.” “Certainly--I shall be, at the House till eleven. After that hour you will find me at home.” “I thank you.” “Cannot this matter be arranged amicably?” “No, it is a quarrel of life and death.” “Yet the world is really growing too enlightened for these old mimicries of single combat.” “There are some cases in which human nature and its deep wrongs will be ever stronger than the world and its philosophy. Duels and wars belong to the same principle; both are sinful on light grounds and poor pretexts. But it is not sinful for a soldier to defend his country from invasion, nor for man, with a man’s heart, to vindicate truth and honour with his life. The robber that asks me for money I am allowed to shoot. Is the robber that tears from me treasures never to be replaced, to go free? These are the inconsistencies of a pseudo-ethics, which, as long as we are made of flesh and blood, we can never subscribe to.” “Yet the ancients,” said Danvers, with a smile, “were as passionate as ourselves, and they dispensed with duels.” “Yes, because they resorted to assassination!” answered Maltravers, with a gloomy frown. “As in revolutions all law is suspended, so are there stormy events and mighty injuries in life which are as revolutions to individuals. Enough of this--it is no time to argue like the schoolmen. When we meet you shall know all, and you will judge like me. Good day!” “What, are you going already? Maltravers, you look ill, your hand is feverish--you should take advice.” Maltravers smiled--but the smile was not like his own--shook his head, and strode rapidly away.