"I feel with force and with gratitude this kind expression of your feeling; and now I needs must insist that you take back your own noble steed—he is yours again! He has become, I fain must own, like myself, somewhat older—I will not say how long!—since last we parted, but it is no matter! However the noble animal is still in his prime; he is spirited, and you may observe he looks sleek, his coat is smooth, and withal in good condition. Meantime, from this you may safely infer that he hath had no severe master in me; and now I justly restore him to his rightful owner."
"Nay, nay, my Lord Duke, that cannot be! What once I have presented I never can consent to receive back again—never! My Lord, it is utterly impossible! But still I am not unwilling to compromise this mooted point between us. If so your Grace be inclined, I shall feel much pleasure in accompanying you occasionally in your equestrian excursions, and then I will mount once more my quondam war-horse."
"With all my heart, most gracious Sir! And now, gallant and courteous stranger, having redeemed my gage, I must, without further parley, beseech to know thy name and rank, for such I am assured belongs to thee, to learn the name of him to whom I am so vastly—so deeply indebted, and one whom I so duly estimate and honour!"
"That, my Lord Duke, is easily told, and in a very few words, if worthy the inquiry.—My name is David Bruce, of Turnberry Castle, in Ayrshire, a Baronet of Nova-Scotia, whom chance, or fate, or circumstances, all combined, placed me a volunteer in the Brandenburgh hussars, where I arose from that humble station to command the regiment, by merits not my own."
"Pardon my interruption, Sir David Bruce," rejoined the duke, "that is, in sooth, the only part of thy reply upon which I must put a decided negative!"
"Well," replied the baronet, with a cheering smile, "your too favourable construction, my Lord Duke, I may not be prepared to gainsay."
"No, no;" continued the Duke of Tyrconnel, "you could not—you cannot—it is too palpable—it is too self-evident! Your courage and powerful arm in the day of battle are strong as your lofty adamantine mountains, while in peace your heart is soft and tender as the thistle-down of your own dear native land! Come, come, no reply, young baronet, you must needs gang with me, as you say in Scotland; and we must indeed be better acquainted!—You surely will not refuse to dine with me to-day, when I shall have great pleasure to present you to my duchess and my daughter as my friend, and the gallant preserver of my life! Come, Sir David, no ambages, no circumlocution, no apology will I take! Nay, nay, you must not hide behind the screen of modesty, and denied or refused I must not be!—So I shall certainly expect you."
"Your Grace's invitation carries with it so much of interest and of kindness, that it is not for me to refuse such inducements, and I gratefully and willingly accede to it. My Lord Duke, I shall duly obey your kind and hospitable summons."
"At three o'clock then," added the duke, "I shall hope for the pleasure of seeing you at my mansion in the Rue Ducale."
Here the duke and the baronet cordially shook hands, and parted; the duke to resume his ride, and Sir David Bruce to complete his morning's promenade.