THORNTON. Ah! You are afraid that your husband may become involved in an unpleasant affair. Your solicitude for his safety, madame, makes me feel that my offense to-night was indeed unpardonable. No gentleman can excuse himself for making such a mistake as I have made. I had supposed that it was Lieutenant Kerchival West, who-- MRS. HAVERILL. What do you mean, sir? THORNTON. But if it is your husband that stands between us-- MRS. HAVERILL. Let me say this, sir: whatever I may fear for my husband, he fears nothing for himself. THORNTON. He knows? [_Looking at her, keenly._] [_Enter_ KERCHIVAL WEST, _now in riding suit._] [_He stops, looking at them._] You are silent. Your husband does know what occurred to-night; that relieves my conscience. [_Lightly._] Colonel Haverill and I can now settle it between us. MRS. HAVERILL. No, Mr. Thornton! My husband knows nothing, and, I beg of you, do not let this horrible affair go further. [_Sees_ KERCHIVAL. KERCHIVAL. Pardon me. [_Stepping forward._] I hope I am not interrupting you. [_Aside._] It _was_ Thornton. [_Aloud._] You said you would have a letter for me to carry, Mrs. Haverill. MRS. HAVERILL. Yes, I--I will go up and write it at once. [_Crosses; stops and looks back. Aside._] I wonder how much he overheard. KERCHIVAL. [_Quietly._] I suppose eight o'clock will be time enough for me to go? MRS. HAVERILL. Oh, yes! [_Glancing at him a moment._]--quite. [_Exit, through apartment._ KERCHIVAL. [_Quietly._] Mr. Thornton! you are a scoundrel! Do I make myself plain? THORNTON. You make the fact that you desire to pick a quarrel with me quite plain, sir; but I choose my own quarrels and my own enemies. KERCHIVAL. Colonel Haverill is my commander, and he is beloved by every officer in the regiment. THORNTON. On what authority, may I ask, do you-- KERCHIVAL. The honour of Colonel Haverill's wife is under our protection. THORNTON. Under your protection? You have a better claim than that, perhaps, to act as her champion. Lieutenant Kerchival West is Mrs. Haverill's favourite officer in the regiment. KERCHIVAL. [_Approaching him._] You dare to suggest that I-- THORNTON. If I accept your challenge, I shall do so not because you are her protector, but my rival. KERCHIVAL. Bah! [_Striking him sharply on the cheek with glove. The two men stand facing each other a moment._] Is it my quarrel now? THORNTON. I think you are entitled to my attention, sir. KERCHIVAL. My time here is limited. THORNTON. We need not delay. The Bayou La Forge is convenient to this place. KERCHIVAL. I'll meet you there, with a friend, at once. THORNTON. It will be light enough to see the sights of our weapons in about one hour. [_They bow to each other, and_ THORNTON _goes out._ KERCHIVAL. I've got ahead of Bob. GERTRUDE. [_Without._] Whoa! Jack! Old boy! Steady, now--that's a good fellow. KERCHIVAL. She has returned. I _must_ know whether Gertrude Ellingham loves me--before Thornton and I meet. He is a good shot.