“By the right of kinship. Come, come, Alick, your father and my mother were brother and sister. We are first-cousins and old playmates, Alick. We have been rivals, but are so no longer. We need not be enemies. Let us be friends, Alick,” said Dick, frankly holding out his hand.
“And do you begin your overtures of friendship by dogging my footsteps and spying my actions?” demanded Alexander, putting his hands behind him.
“Nonsense—no!”
“Why are you here then, sir? your party have gone home.”
“Our carriage was full. I lingered behind to call a hansom for myself, and so became an accidental witness to your challenge of Prince Ernest,” said Dick, good-humoredly.
The name of his imaginary rival sent Alexander off into another fit of frenzy.
“Yes, I have challenged the diabolical villain, and, by my life, I will meet him!” he exclaimed, grinding out the words between his set teeth and livid lips.
Mr. Hammond knew that to argue with him then and there upon the subject of the intended duel would be as useless as to reason with a lunatic. Yet, in a few hours, he hoped he might be able to bring him to his senses.
So, laying his hand kindly upon the demoniac’s arm, he said:
“Alick, go home with me, or permit me to go home with you, while we talk this matter over.”