"Do," said he. "I will remain outside, and use an appeal men of his sort understand better." "Pray be seated, Captain Lee," said the dowager. "This," thought Lee, "is the lady who made the duel: she looks game to carry it through;" but he only bowed. "I may be the first to inform you," said she, "that my nephew will necessarily require a postponement of his affair with your friend. We hope to have your help, sir." Deane fingered his cap and bowed again. "To be entirely frank," said she graciously, "Captain Mason lacks means. He applied to me, but of course I cannot furnish it for such a purpose." "Certainly not," said Lee: "the matter has been too much talked of already; but not by our side, ma'am." "Yes," said she. "You will, I trust, give us your assistance." "Certainly--yes'm," said Lee: "it shall be done accordin' to Hoyle. Beg pardon, but give yourself no trouble about it." "What a burden you remove!" said the dowager. "Such a delicate matter, and my nephew feels that his honor is involved. Oh, you men! you men! But I am so fortunate to have met you!" The dowager was really impressed and pleased with his prompt acquiescence in the postponement. "Yes'm," continued Deane, "I'll see to it at once. Nettles needn't know a word." "Thank you," said the dowager, sunning him with a royal grace of manner--"so delicate and considerate in you! Yes, I should prefer that." She evidently thought he referred to her nephew's impecuniosity; and he did, but not as she supposed. "Not a word," continued Deane, thinking she must be a right jolly old girl, after all. "Of course, ma'am, you couldn't advance the money to Captain Mason: it 'ud look ugly for a lady. But the boys shall have their fun: I'll lend him the shads myself." "Sir!" shrieked the dowager. "I beg, ma'am, you'll take no trouble," said Deane, anxiously polite. "It's no inconvenience whatever--in fact, to my advantage. I've got two or three little bets out the thing'll come off; so I'm bound to come out even." The dowager flashed up, and rang the bell violently, her whole face convulsed with passion: "Show this man out! show him off the place!" Lee walked out gravely, fingering his cap. At the door he turned to the mulatto and said sympathetically, "Does she have 'em often?" "What, young marsta?" "Fits," said Lee sententiously, and walked off. But he was not through yet. The lawyer waited under the gaslight, and as the soldier, pondering the late interview curiously, approached, he addressed him: "Captain Lee, I believe?" "Them's my initials," said Deane. "What about it?" "A shrewd young fellow like you might make something out of this duel." "As how?" asked Deane. "The old lady would pay handsomely to have it postponed," said the lawyer. "Whe-ew-ew!" whistled Lee, a light breaking on him. "What a mule's head I've been!" "You see the chance, eh?" asked the lawyer.