“I don’t think there’s much fear of that, Dick,” replied Maurice genially.
“I hope not, sir, but women are queer creatures.”
“They are, indeed, Dick,” answered Maurice, with a sigh, thinking of Helena and her dexterity in avoiding his wooing, yet keeping him a fast captive in her chains.
“What I’d like you to do, sir,” said Dick reflectively, “is to have the gloves on with Mr. Caliphronas.”
“Why so?”
For answer Dick pointed to his own swollen face, and grinned meaningly, whereupon Maurice walked away, laughing to think of the Count’s handsome countenance in such a scarred condition.
The shooting was going on splendidly, and all the Melnosians proved themselves good marksmen, more or less, while Justinian himself was a crack shot, and made one centre after the other in a most surprising manner.
“Will you have a try, Maurice?” he said, when the young man reached him.
“Not to-day, sir. I’m too shaky after that fight, and wish to keep up all my strength for the high jump.”
“You have a tough antagonist in Caliphronas.”