“Then,” returned the other, hastily, “choose your position.”
At that moment Lettice arose to her feet. This was a duel, she comprehended, and perhaps one or the other would be killed. She ran forward and held up her hand. “You should have witnesses,” she said. “Here is one.” She stood between them, looking from one to the other.
The men were thunderstruck. “You, Miss Hopkins! What are you doing here? I rode out to find you,” Mr. Baldwin said, but Robert spoke never a word.
“I beg of you to desist,” Lettice went on. “I chanced to be coming this way. I have been to the house of a sick relative and was on my way home. This is our own ground, and I forbid you to make it a place of bloodshed.”
“I bow to a lady’s decree,” Mr. Baldwin said, returning his pistol to its place. “Why did you give us the slip, Miss Hopkins? And what is your desire concerning yonder gentleman? You denounced him in my presence, and yet when the moment came to declare his offence to your brother, you ran away. As for me, my lips are sealed till you give me permission to speak.”
“I do not give you permission to do anything but leave him and let his conscience be his accuser.”
“But who is to be responsible for his appearance if we find he is guilty of the act for which you denounced him?”
“I will be. We have been friends,” she said softly, as she half turned to where Robert stood with arms folded and eyes cast down. For an instant Lettice’s heart melted within her, and she took a step forward, but she retreated again to Mr. Baldwin’s side.
“Take me home,” she said faintly, “and let this affair be settled there. My horse is but a few steps back.”
“I will bring him to you,” Mr. Baldwin said, “and yes, I shall be glad to defer this. You understand,” he said, turning to Robert, “I am at your service when you will. This address will always find me.” He handed out a card with an elaborate bow. He stood evidently thinking deeply. “If you are innocent, sir,” he went on to say, “you will not be afraid to answer a few questions should you be required to do so. If you are guilty, you owe your escape from immediate arrest to the good offices of this young lady. Whatever may be my own opinion, I owe you no more of an apology than you do me, and in the interest of my country I am bound to say that you are free only through extreme tolerance.” And he turned away.