“And thou and I will meet and decide the business once for all,” went on Devereaux. “Come! what say you to the third night from this? There are duties that forbid the undertaking sooner.”
“But, but,” stammered Francis. “I——”
“Ah! thou dost fear.” Edward Devereaux looked his scorn. “We will drop the matter. But thou must fight, or concede that I slew the deer.” 148
“I fear nothing,” cried the girl. “I will meet thee when and where thou wilt.”
“Then on the third night from this, thou and I will meet in the park close by the wicket of the western gate. I will show thee this day where it lieth. And now we must to duty.”
CHAPTER XIV
A STRANGE DUEL
Now, Francis Stafford knew but little of the noble art of fencing. Once or twice her father had given her the foils and shown her some of the attitudes and thrusts, but beyond that her knowledge did not extend. It was with considerable trepidation, therefore, that she thought of the approaching combat.