The supper was very splendid and costly. Mr. Philip was at a distance from Miss Sampson, but not so far as not to see that her eyes were anxiously looking round and about the room as if in search of some individual. He thought it must be only himself, but he was wrong; for when he had caught the lady's attention, and smiles had been exchanged, the anxiously inquiring look of Miss Sampson was repeated, and Mr. Philip's curiosity was excited but not gratified. He also looked about to catch a sight of the young gentleman who, by an exchange of cards, had dared him to mortal combat. This young gentleman he could not see. He therefore conjectured that the absent challenger was the person for whom Miss Sampson was so eagerly looking. His next suspicion was, that the young lady, in the fulness of her humanity and kind consideration, was desirous of interposing, with her high authority, to prevent bloodshed. With this suspected humanity he was not well pleased; and he determined to take an opportunity of expostulating with the young lady on the absurdity of her intentions, if he should detect and ascertain that such were her intentions. But while this thought was in his mind, the carriage of old John Martindale was at the door, and the old gentleman was arbitrary and would not wait, or suffer any of his party to keep his horses in the cold. That was very considerate of the old gentleman. Dr. Kitchener, of facetious memory, was very much indebted to old John Martindale for many valuable hints on the subject of carriages and horses. Poor Philip Martindale was therefore under the necessity of leaving the party before he could have an opportunity of speaking to Miss Sampson. This young lady, however, was more considerate than he had imagined her to be; for she had indeed been anxious to prevent a duel taking place; but her anxiety was not on the ground of anticipated bloodshed, nor was it merely to save the wounds of the body, but to prevent those of the mind or spirit. She had not the slightest doubt that Mr. Philip Martindale would be extremely happy to receive a pistol-ball between any two of his ribs; but knowing the young gentleman's fastidious notions and feelings as concerns the subject of rank and dignity, she thought that he would not properly enjoy the pleasure of being shot, should he know that the kind friend to whom he was indebted for that luxury was a young gentleman of the city, whose usual occupation was casting accounts and making entries in a little dark counting-house in the vicinity of the East India House.