"I am at your pleasure, Sir! But, on my own part, I have none to gratify."
There was silence again, during which Thorn's face was pitiable in its darkness. He did not stir.
"I did not come here in enmity, Mr. Thorn," said Guy, after a little, approaching him "I have none now. If you believe me, you will throw away the remains of yours, and take my hand in pledge of it."
Thorn was ashamed and confounded, in the midst of passions that made him at the moment a mere wreck of himself. He inwardly drew back exceedingly from the proposal. But the grace with which the words were said wrought upon all the gentlemanly character that belonged to him, and made it impossible not to comply. The pistol was exchanged for Mr. Carleton's hand.
"I need not assure you," said the latter, "that nothing of what we have talked of to-night shall ever be known or suspected, in any quarter, unless by your means."
Thorn's answer was merely a bow, and Mr. Carleton withdrew, his quondam antagonist lighting him ceremoniously to the door.
It was easy for Mr. Carleton the next morning to deal with his guest at the breakfast-table.
The appointments of the service were such as of themselves to put Charlton in a good humour, if he had not come already provided with that happy qualification; and the powers of manner and conversation which his entertainer brought into play, not only put them into the back-ground of Captain Rossitur's perceptions, but even made him merge certain other things in fascination, and lose all thought of what probably had called him there. Once before, he had known Mr. Carleton come out in a like manner, but this time he forgot to be surprised.
The meal was two-thirds over before the business that had drawn them together was alluded to.
"I made an odd request of you last night, Captain Rossitur," said his host; "you haven't asked for an explanation."