“‘Hush! I did not mean to—I am no coward, madam!’
“‘Say plainly that it was I who formed the design to get rid of this person!’
“And she pointed furiously at me.
“‘Let no scruples restrain you—take nothing upon yourself—it was I, I!—I who planned his death!’
“Mortimer remained for an instant silent. Then he resumed, in the same measured voice as before:—
“‘You hear,’ he said. ‘I tried to shield her, to take the blame—meant to give you no inkling of this—but she spoils all. To end this. I have offered you a mortal insult—soiled an ancient and honorable name—the last representative of the Mohuns has formed through me a degrading connection. I acknowledge all that. I am going to try to kill you, to bury every thing in the grave. I would have shrunk from assassinating you, though I wish your death. You offer me honorable combat, and you do me an honor, which I appreciate. Let us finish. The place, time, and weapons?’
“There was, then, something not altogether base in this man. I listened with joy. I had expected to encounter a wretch without a single attribute of the gentleman.
“‘You accept this honorable combat, then?’ I said.
“‘With thanks,’ he replied.
“‘You wish to fight as gentlemen fight?’