The influence of the preceding day had not yet left Major Gordon. He was no longer eager for a quarrel with his rival, but on the contrary was resolved, if Kate refused him, to withdraw entirely from the contest, and even to avoid Mr. Aylesford, in order to prevent the possibility of a collision. He bowed, therefore, civilly, though distantly, and was passing on, when the other stopped him by placing his horse across the narrow road.
“Excuse me, Major Gordon,” said Mr. Aylesford, haughtily, “but, as I was on my way to visit you, I would thank you to give me your attention for awhile.
“Certainly,” said the Major, politely, endeavoring to look calm, though inwardly chafed by the manner of his rival: “I wait your commands,” he added, seeing that Mr. Aylesford did not speak; and he backed his horse, so as to widen the space between himself and the other.
“I was astonished,” said Mr. Aylesford, looking up with a frown, “to find, sir, on my return from the city, that you were paying attention to a lady engaged to myself,” and he paused for a reply.
Major Gordon felt his color change at this confirmation of his worst fears; but the eye of his rival was on him, and he strove to seem composed. He could not trust himself to speak, however; so he only bowed, as if for the other to proceed.
“I presume, however,” resumed Mr. Aylesford, “that you were not aware of the circumstance; at least such is the conclusion I have arrived at on second thoughts. I have made it my business, in consequence, to seek you, in order to state the fact, and to suggest to you, what your own sense and honor doubtless will hint also, that, for the future, your visits at Sweetwater should be made fewer, if not altogether dispensed with. For the services rendered to the ladies, my aunt, and cousin, by the party with which you were in company, when they had the misfortune to shipwrecked, I thank you, in their name.”
It was not possible, perhaps, to frame a speech more galling to one of his disposition than was this to Major Gordon. The taunt in regard to his honor, the sneer at his conduct at the wreck, and the supercilious tone in which Mr. Aylesford thanked him, as if he had been a mere lackey, made his blood boil. Nevertheless he endeavored to retain command of himself. He saw that a brawl between him and Kate’s cousin could not but be disreputable.
“I thank you, sir, for your courtesy,” said the Major, at last breaking the silence, and looking his rival steadily in the face; “but as for your advice, I shall take the liberty of declining that—”
The hot blood mounted to the forehead of Aylesford, as, interrupting the speaker at this point, he stammered, half insane with rage—
“Sir, sir, do you know who you are talking to?” I am a gentleman, and not a mere adventurer—