"Aye, I doubt not he may well be called a little black rascal, O'Ruddy," he answered; "but in fact he is my father's partner in certain large--fairly large, you know--shipping interests. Of course that is a matter of no consequence to me personally--but--I believe my father likes him, and my mother and my sister are quite fond of him, I think. I, myself, have never been able to quite--quite understand him in certain ways. He seems a trifle odd at moments. But he certainly is a friend of the family." "Then," said I, "you will not be able to have the felicity of seeing him kill me, Lord Strepp." "On the contrary," he rejoined considerately, "I would regard it as usual if he asked me to accompany him to the scene of the fight." His remark, incidentally, that his sister was fond of Forister, filled me with a sudden insolent madness. "I would hesitate to disturb any shipping trade," I said with dignity. "It is far from me to wish that the commerce of Great Britain should be hampered by sword-thrust of mine. If it would please young Lord Strepp, I could hand my apologies to Forister all tied up in blue-silk ribbon." But the youthful nobleman only looked at me long with a sad and reproachful gaze. "O'Ruddy," he said mournfully, "I have seen you do two fine things. You have never seen me do anything. But, know you now, once and for all, that you may not quarrel with me." This was too much for an Irish heart. I was moved to throw myself on this lad's neck. I wished to swear to him that I was a brother in blood, I wished to cut a vein to give him everlasting strength--but perhaps his sister Mary had something to do with this feeling. Colonel Royale had been fidgeting. Now he said suddenly: "Strepp, I wronged you. Your pardon, Mr. O'Ruddy; but, damme, Strepp, if I didn't think you had gone wrong for the moment." Lord Strepp took the offered hand. "You are a stupid old firebrain," he said affectionately to the Colonel. "Well," said the Colonel jubilantly, "now everything is clear. If Mr. O'Ruddy will have me, I will go with him to meet this Forister; and you, Strepp, will accompany Forister; and we all will meet in a friendly way--ahem!" "The situation is intimately involved," said Lord Strepp dejectedly. "It will be a ridiculous business--watching each blade lunge toward the breast of a friend. I don't know that it is proper. Royale, let us set ourselves to part these duellists. It is indecent." "Did you note the manner in which he kicked him out of the inn?" asked the Colonel. "Do you think a few soothing words would calm the mind of one of the finest swordsmen in England?" I began to do some profound thinking. "Look you, Colonel," said I. "Do you mean that this wretched little liar and coward is a fine swordsman?"