“On the contrary I did it quite deliberately,” answered Julian. “I meant to do it, sir. But I had no thought of injuring you. I—I only wanted Queen to cut up. If you would like satisfaction, Mr. Winthrop——”
Winthrop stared.
“My dear fellow,” he ejaculated, “you aren’t proposing a duel, are you?”
“I am quite at your service, sir,” replied Julian, haughtily. “If the idea of reparation seems ridiculous to you——”
“I beg your pardon, really,” said Winthrop, gravely and hurriedly. “It was only that I had supposed duelling to be obsolete.”
“Not among gentlemen, sir!”
“I see. Nevertheless, Mr. Wayne, I’m afraid I shall have to refuse you. I am hardly in condition to use either sword or pistol.”
“If that is all,” answered Julian, eagerly, “I can put my left arm in a sling, too. That would put us on even terms, I reckon, sir.”
Winthrop threw out his hand with a gesture of surrender, and laughed amusedly.