These words were spoken with such heartiness that Oswald involuntarily turned away.
'Let us go back to your room, at least,' he said hastily.
'No; we are not so likely to be disturbed here,' persisted Edmund, as he threw himself into an armchair. 'I have so many things to say to you--for instance, how I came by this famous wound, which has set all Ettersberg in an uproar, though it is nothing more than a pin-scratch.'
Oswald's eyes wandered uneasily to the papers, beneath which the portrait lay concealed.
'How you came by it?' he repeated absently. 'I thought your gun was fired accidentally, as you were getting over a hedge.'
'Yes; that is what we told the servants, and my mother and uncle are not to hear any other version of the affair. But I need not make a secret of it to you. I was out this morning with one of the men who joined our shooting-party--with Baron Senden.'
'With Senden?' said Oswald, becoming attentive. 'What was the quarrel between you?'
'He made use of an expression which displeased me. I called him to account at once; one word led to another, and finally we agreed to settle our little difference by meeting this morning. You see no great damage has been done. I shall perhaps have to wear my hand in a sling for a week or so, and Senden has got off as cheaply, with just a graze on the shoulder.'
'So that is why you stayed all night? Why did you not send a message over to me? I would have gone to you.'
'To act as second? That was not necessary. Our host offered me his services--and as the mourning relative you could always arrive time enough.'