Then Galton stammered out,-- "It was Neville himself told me." "Ah!" said Griffith; "I thought so. He is a liar, and a coward." "I would not advise you to tell _him_ so," said the other, maliciously. "He has killed his man in France: spitted him like a lark." Griffith replied by a smile of contempt. "Where is the man?" said he, after a pause. "How should I know?" asked Galton, innocently. "Where did you leave him five minutes ago?" Galton was dumbfoundered at this stroke, and could find nothing to say. And now, as often happens, the matter took a turn not in the least anticipated by the conspirators. "You must come with me, Sir, if you please," said Griffith, quietly: and he took Galton's arm. "Oh, with all my heart," said the other. "But, Mr. Gaunt, do not you take these idle reports to heart: _I_ never do. What the Devil, where are you carrying me to? For Heaven's sake, let this foolish business go no farther." For he found Griffith was taking him to the very room where Neville was. Griffith deigned no reply; he just opened the door of the room in question, and walked the tale-bearer into the presence of the tale-maker. George Neville rose and confronted the pair with a vast appearance of civility; but under it a sneer was just discernible. The rivals measured each other from head to foot, and then Neville inquired to what he owed the honor of this visit. Griffith replied,-- "He tells me you told him Miss Peyton has exchanged horses with you." "Oh, you indiscreet person!" said George, shaking his finger playfully at Galton. "And, by the same token, has plighted her troth to you." "Worse and worse," said George. "Galton, I'll never trust you with any secrets again. Besides, you exaggerate." "Come, Sir," said Griffith, sternly, "this Ned Galton was but your tool, and your mouth-piece; and therefore I bring him in here to witness my reply to _you_: Mr. George Neville, you are a liar and a scoundrel." George Neville bounded to his feet like a tiger. "I'll have your life for those two words," he cried. Then he suddenly governed himself by a great effort. "It is not for me to bandy foul terms with a Cumberland savage," said he. "Name your time and place." "I will. Ned Galton, you may go. I wish to say a few words in private to Mr. Neville." Galton hesitated. "No violence, Gentlemen: consider." "Nonsense!" said Neville. "Mr. Gaunt and I are going to fight: we are not going to brawl. Be so good as to leave us." "Ay," said Griffith; "and if you repeat a word of all this, woe be to your skin!" As soon as he was gone, Griffith Gaunt turned very grave and calm, and said to George Neville,-- "The Cumberland savage has been better taught than to expose the lady he loves to gossiping tongues." Neville colored up to the eyes at this thrust. Griffith continued,-- "The least you can do is to avoid fresh scandal."