"Take them as you please," said Penrose. "I stand by them."
"Then," answered the other, "I name Captain Cooper as my friend. Whom shall he meet on your part, and where?"
Pausing for a minute, during which he considered his course of action, Penrose said that in two days he expected a friend whose services he could command on such a business, and hoped the delay would not be inconvenient. His antagonist intimated his assent by a distant bow, and thus, in far less time than I have been writing about it, was appointed a meeting for life or death. The outward show of civility was maintained during the short time that they remained in the room, though feelings of deadliest enmity rankled beneath that smooth surface.
As they were retiring, Penrose and English again were together, and the latter took advantage of this contiguity to ask at what time his friend should call upon Mr. Penrose's second?
"At ten on Thursday morning, at Daly's club-house."
"Very well, and for whom shall he inquire?"
"Let him ask for Mr. D'Arcy Mahon, the barrister."
At that name, English shrunk or swerved as from a blow.
"D'Arcy Mahon!" he repeated.
"Yes," said Penrose. "Have you any objection to the gentleman?"