“I 'm not aware of any dealings between us,” said O'Shea, haughtily.
“Well, sir, I am, and that comes pretty much to the same thing. You came over to Lucca one day to see young Layton, and you saw me, and we had a talk together about miscellaneous matters, and we didn't quite agree, and we parted with the understandin' that we 'd go over the figures again, and make the total all right. I hope, sir, you are with me in all this?”
“Perfectly. I remember it all now. I went over to settle a difference I had had with Layton, and you, with that amiable readiness for a fight that distinguishes your countrymen, proposed a little row on your own account; something—I forget what it was now—interfered with each of us at the time, but we agreed to let it stand over and open for a future occasion.”
“You talk like a printed book, sir. It's a downright treat to hear you. Go on,” said the Colonel, seriously.
“It's my turn now,” broke in Agincourt, warmly, “and I must say, I expected both more good sense and more generosity from either of you than to make the first moment of a friendly meeting the occasion of remembering an old grudge. You 'll not leave this room till you have shaken hands, and become—what you are well capable of being—good friends to each other.”
“I have no grudge against the Colonel,” said O'Shea, frankly.
“Well, sir,” said Quackinboss, slowly, “I'm thinkin' Mr. Agincourt is right. As John Randolf of Roanoke said, 'The men who are ready to settle matters with the pistol are seldom slow to set them right on persuasion.' Here 's my hand, sir.”
“You 'll both dine with me to-day, I hope,” said Agincourt. “My friend here,” added he, taking O'Shea's arm, “has just received a Government appointment, and we are bound to 'wet his commission' for him in some good claret.”
They accepted the hospitable proposal readily, and now, at perfect ease together, and without one embarrassing thought to disturb their intercourse, they sat chatting away pleasantly for some time, when suddenly Quackinboss started up, saying, “Darn me a pale pink, if I haven't forgot all that I came about. Here 's how it was.” And as he spoke, he took Agincourt to one side and whispered eagerly in his ear.
“But they know it all, my dear Colonel,” broke in Agincourt. “Charles Heathcote has had the whole story in a long letter from Layton. I was with him this morning when the post arrived, and I read the letter myself; and, so far from entertaining any of the doubts you fear, they are only impatient to see dear Clara once more and make her 'One of Them.'”