Tom, who in the bustle of the crowd had slipped the card of his antagonist into his pocket, now took Bob's arm, and they pursued their way down St. James's Street, and could not help laughing at the affair: but Tallyho, who had a great aversion to duelling, and was thinking of the consequences, bit his lips, and expressed his sorrow at what had occurred; he ascribed the hasty imputation of drunkenness to the irritating effects of the poor creature's accident, and expressed his hope that his cousin would take no further notice of it. Tom, however, on the other ~75~~hand, ridiculed Bob's fears--told him it was a point of honour not to suffer an insult in the street from any man--nor would he--besides, the charge of drunkenness from such a thing as that, is not to be borne. “D----n it, man, drunkenness in the early part of the day is a thing I abhor, it is at all times what I would avoid if possible, but at night there may be many apologies for it; nay in some cases even to avoid it is impossible. The pleasures of society are enhanced by it--the joys of love are increased by the circulation of the glass--harmony, conviviality and friendship are produced by it--though I am no advocate for inebriety, and detest the idea of the beast-- “Who clouds his reason by the light of day, And falls to drink, an early and an easy prey.” “Well,” said Bob, “I cannot help thinking this poor fellow, who has already betrayed his fears, will be inclined to make any apology for his rudeness to-morrow.” “If he does not,” said Tom, “I'll wing him, to a certainty--a jackanapes--a puppy--a man-milliner; perhaps a thing of shreds and patches--he shall not go unpunished, I promise you; so come along, we will just step in here, and I'll dispatch this business at once: I'll write a challenge, and then it will be off my hands.” And so saying, they entered a Coffee-house, where, calling for pen, ink and paper, Tom immediately began his epistle, shrewdly hinting to his Cousin, that he expected he would act as his Second. “It will be a fine opportunity for introducing your name to the gay world--the newspapers will record your name as a man of ton. Let us see now how it will appear:--On ---- last, the Honourable Tom Dashall, attended by his Cousin, Robert Tallyho, Esq. of Belleville Hall, met--ah, by the bye, let us see who he is,” here he felt in his pocket for the card. Bob, however, declared his wish to decline obtaining popularity by being present upon such an occasion, and suggested the idea of his calling upon the offender, and endeavouring to effect an amicable arrangement between them. “Hallo!” exclaimed Tom with surprise, as he drew the card from his pocket, and threw it on the table--“Ha, ha, ha,--look at that.” Tallyho looked at the card without understanding it. “What does it mean?” said he.