“A personal meeting with Major Brennan.”
The high color deserted her cheeks, and her eyes met mine in sudden inquiry. “Oh, no, no!” she exclaimed with energy. “You and Frank must never meet in that way. You mean a duel?”
I bowed gravely. “I can assure you I earnestly desire to avoid it for your sake, but am aware of no possibility of escape except through my immediate departure.”
“There has been no challenge then?”
“Not formally, yet almost an equivalent—I was permitted to aid in defence of this house only by pledging myself to Major Brennan afterwards.”
“But why need it be—at least now that you have stood together as comrades?”
“I fear,” I said quietly, “that fact will not count for much. We both fought inspired by your presence.”
“Mine!” I hardly knew how to interpret her tone.
“Certainly; you cannot be ignorant that Major Brennan's dislike is based upon your friendship for me.”
“But there is no reason,” she stammered. “He has no cause—”