Major Waring had set a deliberately calculating eye on him.

“I want to hear more,” he said.

“You think I have no claim to challenge a man in his position?”

“Answer me first, Robert.  You think this Mr. Blancove helped, or instigated this man Sedgett in his attack upon you?”

“I haven’t a doubt that he did.”

“It’s not plain evidence.”

“It’s good circumstantial evidence.”

“At any rate, you are perhaps justified in thinking him capable of this:  though the rule is, to believe nothing against a gentleman until it is flatly proved—­when we drum him out of the ranks.  But, if you can fancy it true, would you put yourself upon an equal footing with him?”

“I would,” said Robert.

“Then you accept his code of morals.”

“That’s too shrewd for me:  but men who preach against duelling, or any kind of man-to-man in hot earnest, always fence in that way.”

“I detest duelling,” Major Waring remarked.  “I don’t like a system that permits knaves and fools to exercise a claim to imperil the lives of useful men.  Let me observe, that I am not a preacher against it.  I think you know my opinions; and they are not quite those of the English magistrate, and other mild persons who are wrathful at the practice upon any pretence.  Keep to the other discussion.  You challenge a man—­you admit him your equal.  But why do I argue with you?  I know your mind as well as my own.  You have some other idea in the background.”

“I feel that he’s the guilty man,” said Robert.

“You feel called upon to punish him.”

“No.  Wait:  he will not fight; but I have him and I’ll hold him.  I feel he’s the man who has injured this girl, by every witness of facts that I can bring together; and as for the other young fellow I led such a dog’s life down here, I could beg his pardon.  This one’s eye met mine.  I saw it wouldn’t have stopped short of murder—­opportunity given.  Why?  Because I pressed on the right spring.  I’m like a woman in seeing some things.  He shall repent.  By—!  Slap me on the face, Percy.  I’ve taken to brandy and to swearing.  Damn the girl who made me forget good lessons!  Bless her heart, I mean.  She saw you, did she?  Did she colour when she heard your name?”

“Very much,” said Major Waring.

“Was dressed in—?”

“Black, with a crimson ribbon round the collar.”

Robert waved the image from his eyes.

“I’m not going to dream of her.  Peace, and babies, and farming, and pride in myself with a woman by my side—­there!  You’ve seen her—­all that’s gone.  I might as well ask the East wind to blow West.  Her face is set the other way.  Of course, the nature and value of a man is shown by how he takes this sort of pain; and hark at me!  I’m yelling.  I thought I was cured.  I looked up into the eyes of a lady ten times sweeter—­when?—­somewhen!  I’ve lost dates.  But here’s the girl at me again.  She cuddles into me—­slips her hand into my breast and tugs at strings there.  I can’t help talking to you about her, now we’ve got over the first step.  I’ll soon give it up.