By this time they had reached the carriage, and putting her into it, he shut the door; and saying, "Wait a moment, be not alarmed, I must speak to him," he ran back again, Sir Edward following. Ross having, as soon as they were out of sight, disengaged himself from the by-standers, was hastening with frantic violence to overtake them: when he saw the two gentlemen, he advanced and said: "You have thought proper, then, to come back; but what have you done with that unfortunate girl?" "For the sake of your father, Mr. Ross," said St. Aubyn, "for now I know you, I will be patient and tell you." "What can you tell me more than I already know?" cried Ross, interrupting him with angry vehemence. "Can you deny that you have seduced her whom I loved better than my own soul? Did you not bring her with you to London? I know it all, Sir: the woman where you lodged found you out. She saw how you had deceived my gentle, innocent Ellen." "What words are these!" exclaimed St. Aubyn, haughtily. "Whence arises so vile an error?" "Villain!" exclaimed Charles, with wild impetuosity, "deny not your crimes, but give me the satisfaction of a gentleman." "You do not act like one," said St. Aubyn: "but here is my card; I am always to be found, and will give you whatever satisfaction you may require." He threw a card with his address to Charles, who hastily gave St. Aubyn one of his. "It shall not be," said Sir Edward. "I was the first insulted: this affair is mine." "Settle it as you please," said Charles: "come one or both, I am ready." "Very well," said St. Aubyn; "to-morrow we shall be at your service. Come, Sir Edward; Ellen will be terrified to death." They hastened on; and Ross rudely pushing aside those around him, left the theatre. St. Aubyn and Sir Edward now went as quickly as possible, where they found the Countess, half-fainting, in the arms of Lady Juliana. "For God's sake," said the latter, as they opened the door, "what is the matter? What have you been doing? Could you find no time or place to quarrel in but in the presence of this poor girl?" "For heaven's sake, Madam," said St. Aubyn, after having ordered the servants to drive on, "do not talk in that manner. Am I so regardless of this dear creature's comfort, or so prone to quarrel, that I should seek it at such a time as this?" He then made Ellen lean on him, and soothed her with the most affectionate and tender expressions. "Oh," said she, reviving; "is he gone? Dear St. Aubyn, tell me, are you safe, has he hurt you?" "No--no, my love; be composed, all is over; he is gone away satisfied." "Satisfied!" replied she; "what could he mean? Do you think he is mad, or is it the effect of wine, or some mistake?" "I know not," said St. Aubyn, hastily; "but be at rest--he is gone--we shall hear no more of him." "Oh, are you sure--are you quite sure? Dear Lady Juliana, tell me: may I depend upon it? You said something about a duel."