"Thank you, but you mustn't risk your life for me. Come away."
"What, and leave the fellow's challenge unanswered. Never! Sir, I am at your command. When and where you please."
"Don't be a fool, Vane—Sally's not worth it," whispered Jarvis. "Don't you know she's any man's money?"
For a moment Vane wavered as though Jarvis had convinced him. In the meantime Dorrimore had sheathed his sword and stepping close to Vane in front of Sally Salisbury, he said, dropping his voice so that Sally should not hear:
"Your friend's right. If we fight it should be over somebody better than a common trull. What say you to Lavinia Fenton?"
Vane staggered as though Dorrimore had struck him.
"Lavinia Fenton?" he faltered. "What—what do you know—about her? What is she to you?"
"Simply this—she's mine, and I'll have the blood of any man who attempts to rob me of her. You tried once, and this follows."
Dorrimore tapped the hilt of his sword.
"I never saw you before, sir, but I take you at your word. I can see now you've forced this quarrel on me, and for aught I know Mistress Salisbury may be in the plot. But that doesn't matter. If Miss Fenton is the cause, I shall fight with a better heart. Jarvis—please arrange this affair for me. You've a friend at hand, sir, I presume."