"Nobody. His coming was accidental. He went in early to Dick's room, to
see how he was, and dressed himself afterwards to take a walk, instead
of getting into bed again like a Christian; and somehow arrived at the
spot by chance. Wasn't there a row? Shrewsbury says he never heard any
old fellow go on so. He made Gall and Loftus shake hands, and marched
them home again before him arm in arm. That same day he came to me,
demanding the pistols, and threatened to tell Lady Sophia of me unless
I promised never to help in such an affair of iniquity again: that was
what he called it, 'an affair of iniquity.' So I gave him up the
pistols, and told him the truth at the same time—that I and Talbot had
not put any charge in them. You should have watched the change in him!
He called me all sorts of charming names, and shook my hand, turning
himself about with delight in his funny fashion, and said he'd be my
friend always and Talbot's too; and then he put his hand into his
pocket and gave me—what do you think?—five golden sovereigns. But he
took the pistols; and Loftus's belief is, that he pitched them, case
and all, into the harbour. Oh, it was a lark, that duel! I don't
believe I shall ever get in for such another."
It was the conclusion of the tale. The company, who had remained at the
different tables, as if fascinated, began to move. They had caught but
a word here and there, and rose up impressed with the idea that a peer
of England, the Right Honourable the Earl of Shrewsbury and Talbot, had
been one of the principals in a duel; which news they forthwith carried
to their friends. There are people who believe to this day that his
lordship was the culprit. Mr. Henry paid for his dinner, and went out
with Leek. They were parting, for their way was not the same, when the
master laid his hand upon the young man's shoulder.
"I wish I could get you to do me a favour, Leek."
"That I will," was the ready answer. "What is it?"
"Make my duties easy to me next term, instead of difficult. That is,
help to make them so. No one but myself, Leek, knows what I have to
battle with. Sometimes I think it is wearing me out."
"Are you ill?" exclaimed Leek, suddenly noticing, now that they were in
the sunlight, the peculiarly worn look on the quiet and refined face.
"I am not very well. Perhaps I may give up my post in the College."
"I say, though, you don't mean that! Are we boys driving you away?"
"That, and other things. I don't know how it will be yet. But if I
remain, I must get you all to behave differently."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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