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I could teach you the newest French mode in five minutes." "I am obliged for your offer, sir," said the Surveyor-General dryly. "The other has served my turn, and must do so again." "Sir Charles Carew will do me the honor to be my second?" asked the Governor of that gentleman, who answered with a low bow, and a "The honor is mine." "Captain Laramore?" said the Surveyor-General.
"Faith! it is a color we shall see more of presently," said Laramore, divesting himself of his doublet. His antagonist, passing a laced handkerchief along a gleaming blade, smiled politely. "A pretty tint. Wine, the lips of women, Captain Laramore's blood Lard! 'tis a color I adore!" "Gentlemen!" cried Colonel Verney. "Once more I beg of you to forego this foolish quarrel.
The elders managed to restrain their impatience, but Laramore began to whistle, and when checked by a look from the Governor, turned to Sir Charles with a comically disconsolate face and a shrug of the shoulders. Whereupon the latter drew from his pocket, dice and a handful of gold pieces.
From the hall came the clash of weapons and a most terrific din, and presently there burst into the great room the Colonel, Laramore, Woodson, and Haines, followed by some fifteen men making, with the five in the great room, all that were left of the defenders of Verney Manor.
Whatever interest they felt in the fate of their captive chief was carefully concealed. The sun, now hanging, broad and red, low in the heavens might have been the Gorgon's head and the whole village staring at it. The Governor began to laugh. Sir Charles chimed in musically and Laramore followed suit.
"You must be got to the house at once, and to bed, where Mistress Lettice, who is as skillful in healing as in making wounds, shall help me to properly dress this one." Laramore staggered to his feet. "Give me an arm, Doctor; and Peyton, clap my periwig upon my head, will you? and fetch me my sword from where I see it, adorning yonder bough. Sir Charles Carew, I am your humble servant.
Anthony! dost remember the fight behind Paul's, three to one, and the baggage that brought it about?" The divine, on his knees beside Laramore, looked up with a twinkle in his eye from his work of tying laced handkerchiefs into bandages. "That was in the dark ages, your Excellency. My memory goeth not back so far. Ha! that is better! He is coming to himself. It is not so bad after all."
Tam turned the key reluctantly and admitted the visitors. "A'm no' wishin' to be unceevil, Mr. Brandspeth, but Captain Blackie will strafe ye if he finds ye here." "Rubbish! I want you to meet Mr. Laramore." Tam looked at the keen-faced young athlete and slowly extended his hand. "I think you know my sister," said the smiling youth, "and certainly we all know you."
Laramore groaned, opened his eyes, and struggled into a sitting posture. "Blast me! but I am properly spitted. Sir Charles Carew, my compliments to you. You are a man after my own heart. Ha, your Excellency! I find myself in good company. Dr. Anthony Nash, I shall have you out! You have torn the handkerchief Mistress Lettice Verney gave me." The Doctor laughed.
"Very well, gentlemen, since you will not be ruled. Are you ready?" The rapiers clashed together, and the game began. The Governor fenced brilliantly, if a trifle wildly; his antagonist with a cool steadiness of manner and an iron wrist. Laramore fought with bull-like ferocity, striving to beat down his opponent's guard, making mad lunges, stamping, and keeping up a continuous rumble of oaths.
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