"Amen!"
The admiral was to give the word to fire, and now he and Marshal having stepped sufficiently on one side to be out of all possible danger from any stray shot, he commenced repeating the signal,—
"Are you ready, gentlemen?—once."
They looked sternly at each other, and each grasped his pistol.
"Twice!"
Sir Francis Varney smiled and looked around him, as if the affair were one of the most common-place description.
"Thrice!"
Varney seemed to be studying the sky rather than attending to the duel.
"Fire!" said the admiral, and one report only struck upon the ear. It was that from Henry's pistol.
All eyes were turned upon Sir Francis Varney, who had evidently reserved his fire, for what purpose could not be devised, except a murderous one, the taking of a more steady aim at Henry.