Scrope was listening, but not to Wogan. Wogan ceased from reciting and listened also. He heard steps and voices of men approaching. Presently, to his great amazement, he recognised the tones of Kelly and Montague, whose mere existence had been banished from his mind. He was yet more surprised when they both came in view, walking very friendly together. Wogan rose as they drew near him. 'What, both of you?' he exclaimed. 'You do not seem to be glad to see us again, sir?' said Colonel Montague. 'And devil a scratch between the pair of you!' cried Mr. Wogan. 'George, what does this mean? Am I to hear,' he asked with honest indignation, 'that one of you has debased himself to an apology?' He looked from one to the other much perplexed in mind. 'It is too long a tale for the opportunity, Mr. Wogan,' said the Colonel laughing. 'But _what_ does that mean?' He pointed to the Water God in the perruque, whose shadow was reflected in the calm bosom of the lake. 'Colonel Montague,' cried Scrope, 'I appeal to you as a Protestant and an officer of his Majesty's for your protection against an Irish, Popish, Jacobite conspirator.' 'That gentleman,' said Wogan, 'whom I have been entertaining with Mr. Pope's poem, is an English Protestant, Whig, spy, and murderer, and even, I suspect, a writer in the newspapers. He persists in staying out in the water there, where I cannot get at him. He is one of the Maritime Powers. Egad! George, you know Mr. Scrope of Northumberland and Grub Street?' George bowed to Mr. Scrope. 'The fourth time you see, sir, has been lucky, contrary to the proverb,' he said politely. 'The poor devil's teeth are chattering audibly,' said Colonel Montague. 'May I ask you to explain his situation, Mr. Wogan?' 'Faith, sir, the story, as you say, is too long for the occasion. And I want an explanation myself. After a gentleman has trod on another gentleman's foot, here you both are, well and smiling. I am betrayed,' cried Mr. Wogan, 'in the character of a friend. I could not have thought it of George.' 'What was the pistol shot we heard, Nick?' asked Mr. Kelly. 'That was Mr. Scrope firing at me.' 'And the view halloo that might have wakened the dead?' 'That was me remonstrating with Mr. Scrope. But I crave your pardon for my thoughtlessness. No doubt the noise brought up some ungentlemanly person who interrupted you in your explanation. You will begin it again? Mr. Scrope and I will be delighted to see fair play, but you will see it from the water, Mr. Scrope. You don't come out yet.' 'Our honours, about which you are so kindly concerned, Mr. Wogan, are as intact as our persons,' said the Colonel. 'Then you have been finding out that George saved your life, or you saved George's, some time in the dark ages, all to prevent you killing each other in a friendly way?'