He threw a card with his address to Charles, who hastily gave St. Aubyn one of his.
"It shall not be," said Sir Edward. "I was the first insulted: this affair is mine."
"Settle it as you please," said Charles: "come one or both, I am ready."
"Very well," said St. Aubyn; "to-morrow we shall be at your service. Come, Sir Edward; Ellen will be terrified to death." They hastened on; and Ross rudely pushing aside those around him, left the theatre.
St. Aubyn and Sir Edward now went as quickly as possible, where they found the Countess, half-fainting, in the arms of Lady Juliana.
"For God's sake," said the latter, as they opened the door, "what is the matter? What have you been doing? Could you find no time or place to quarrel in but in the presence of this poor girl?"
"For heaven's sake, Madam," said St. Aubyn, after having ordered the servants to drive on, "do not talk in that manner. Am I so regardless of this dear creature's comfort, or so prone to quarrel, that I should seek it at such a time as this?"
He then made Ellen lean on him, and soothed her with the most affectionate and tender expressions.
"Oh," said she, reviving; "is he gone? Dear St. Aubyn, tell me, are you safe, has he hurt you?"
"No—no, my love; be composed, all is over; he is gone away satisfied."