“That is all settled,—­I have given a challenge, and he has accepted it; so all other considerations verge themselves into one—­and that is the when, where, and how.”

“I see,” said Mr. Chillingworth.  “Well, since it cannot be helped on your part, I will do what is requisite for you—­do you wish anything to be done or insisted on in particular in this affair.”

“Nothing with regard to Sir Francis Varney that I may not leave to your discretion.  I feel convinced that he is the assassin of Charles Holland, whom he feared to fight in duel.”

“Then there remains but little else to do, but to arrange preliminaries, I believe.  Are you prepared on every other point?”

“I am—­you will see that I am the challenger, and that he must now fight.  What accident may turn up to save him, I fear not, but sure I am, that he will endeavour to take every advantage that may arise, and so escape the encounter.”

“And what do you imagine he will do now he has accepted your challenge?” said Mr. Chillingworth; “one would imagine he could not very well escape.”

“No—­but he accepted the challenge which Charles Holland sent him—­a duel was inevitable, and it seems to me to be a necessary consequence that he disappeared from amongst us, for Mr. Holland would never have shrunk from the encounter.”

“There can be no sort of suspicion about that,” remarked Chillingworth; “but allow me to advise you that you take care of yourself, and keep a watchful eye upon every one—­do not be seen out alone.”

“I fear not.”

“Nay, the gentleman who has disappeared was, I am sure, fearless enough; but yet that has not saved him.  I would not advise you to be fearful, only watchful; you have now an event awaiting upon you, which it is well you should go through with, unless circumstances should so turn out, that it is needless; therefore I say, when you have the suspicions you do entertain of this man’s conduct, beware, be cautious, and vigilant.”

“I will do so—­in the mean time, I trust myself confidently in your hands—­you know all that is necessary.”

“This affair is quite a secret from all of the family?”

“Most certainly so, and will remain so—­I shall be at the Hall.”

“And there I will see you—­but be careful not to be drawn into any adventure of any kind—­it is best to be on the safe side under all circumstances.”

“I will be especially careful, be assured, but farewell; see Sir Francis Varney as early as you can, and let the meeting be as early as you can, and thus diminish the chance of accident.”

“That I will attend to.  Farewell for the present.”

Mr. Chillingworth immediately set about the conducting of the affair thus confided to him; and that no time might be lost, he determined to set out at once for Sir Francis Varney’s residence.