“Quite so; now you take a sensible view of the question.  Will you meet me?”

“I have no particular objection.  Have you settled all your affairs, and made your will?”

“What’s that to you?”

“Oh, I only asked, because there is generally so much food for litigation if a man dies intestate, and is worth any money.”

“You make devilish sure,” said the admiral, “of being the victor.  Have you made your will?”

“Oh, my will,” smiled Sir Francis; “that, my good sir, is quite an indifferent affair.”

“Well, make it or not, as you like.  I am old, I know, but I can pull a trigger as well as any one.”

“Do what?”

“Pull a trigger.”

“Why, you don’t suppose I resort to any such barbarous modes of fighting?”

“Barbarous!  Why, how do you fight then?”

“As a gentleman, with my sword.”

“Swords!  Oh, nonsense! nobody fights with swords now-a-days.  That’s all exploded.”

“I cling to the customs and the fashions of my youth,” said Varney.  “I have been, years ago, accustomed always to wear a sword, and to be without one now vexes me.”

“Pray, how many years ago?”

“I am older than I look, but that is not the question.  I am willing to meet you with swords if you like.  You are no doubt aware that, as the challenged party, I am entitled to the choice of weapons.”

“I am.”

“Then you cannot object to my availing myself of the one in the use of which I am perfectly unequalled.”

“Indeed.”

“Yes, I am, I think, the first swordsman in Europe; I have had immense practice.”

“Well, sir, you have certainly made a most unexpected choice of weapons.  I can use a sword still, but am by no means a master of fencing.  However, it shall not be said that I went back from my word, and let the chances be as desperate as they may, I will meet you.”

“Very good.”

“With swords?”

“Ay, with swords; but I must have everything properly arranged, so that no blame can rest on me, you know.  As you will be killed, you are safe from all consequences, but I shall be in a very different position; so, if you please, I must have this meeting got up in such a manner as shall enable me to prove, to whoever may question me on the subject, that you had fair play.”

“Oh, never fear that.”

“But I do fear it.  The world, my good sir, is censorious, and you cannot stop people from saying extremely ill-natured things.”

“What do you require, then?”

“I require you to send me a friend with a formal challenge.”

“Well?”

“Then I shall refer him to a friend of mine, and they two must settle everything between them.”

“Is that all?”

“Not quite.  I will have a surgeon on the ground, in case, when I pink you, there should be a chance of saving your life.  It always looks humane.”