MRS. THORNTON. [Aside] What can I say? [Aloud.] Oh, Mr.
Thornton!—­for my husband’s sake, I—­

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.