"Come, Mr. Ravensworth,--come, Mr. Lennox,--let us leave this godless crew--I have done my duty at least." "I am much obliged, but must certainly stay," said Mr. Lennox, who had no idea of missing the first hostile meeting he had ever come in for. "I am a bit of a doctor, Mr. Power, and my presence may be required--there's Johnny Ravensworth, however, too juvenile for such entertainments." "Come, my boy," said Mr. Ravensworth; "come along with us," following Mr. Power as he spoke. "Mayn't I stay, papa?" Then in an under tone, "Confound Mr. Lennox; he is glad enough to find an excuse, and vents his anger on me." "No, my boy; come along directly. Do you hear me?" "Let the boy stay, Mr. Ravensworth," said the Marquis. "It is well to accustom them early to this sort of thing!" "My Lord, I wonder at you. When you have been a father as long as I have you will think otherwise." "I'faith, were my boy a little older he should have been here," answered the Irishman. "You had better go, Johnny," said the Earl. "Always obey your father. Sir Harry, here, will tell you discipline is the mother of all good soldiering." "Indeed is it, my lad; now, quick march; you are delaying the encounter. And, by my stars! it is cold work halting in the snow. I had rather be over that excellent punch, all spoiling," said Sir Harry. The three proceeded to the Towers without speaking. Mr. Power and Mr. Ravensworth in silence, Johnny often casting a wistful look back, and asking old Andrew if it wasn't a shame to take him away, to which the old butler answered in the affirmative: "Ay, ay, Maister Johnny, it's a sair trial; yet Scripture saith, obey your parents; mayhap ye'll fecht one your ainsell some o' these days." When the two gentlemen and their reluctant companion reached the drawing-room, they were beset with questions from the ladies, who had a most imperfect knowledge of the affair. "It is a dreadful thing," said Lady Arranmore. "I wonder you did not try and stop it." "God knows, madam, I did try. I had perhaps a hearing from Sir Richard; but your brother's heart is as hard as the nether millstone." "I fear John is too often mixed up in these disgraceful affairs." "Why, Johnny," said Lady Florence, "I thought you would have been there?" "And so I would, had I had my own way; but I was dragged off whether I would or no." "Then you really think they will fight?" said a lady. "I fear so, madam." "But perhaps they may miss," suggested Ellen. "Little fear of John," said Lady Florence. "But it is awful." "Indeed, madam, I am--but, God love us! there goes one," said Mr. Power. In fact, at the moment a clear ring of a pistol-shot was heard; and, ere any one could speak, in quick succession another echoed through the woods. "I'll run and see," said Johnny; and he was gone before any one could stop him.