Harry rose slowly; and it was almost fearful to see the change which passion had wrought in a few moments on his features. The red flush of drunken rage was entirely gone, and the livid cheek, the pale quivering lip, and collected eye, which had usurped its place, showed that the degradation he had just undergone had completely sobered him, and given his passion a new but more malignant character. He stood for a brief period in moody silence, whilst the rest of the young men closed round him and Frank, with the intention of reconciling them. At length he moved away towards the door, pushing his friends rudely aside; but turning, before he left the room, he said, in a voice trembling with suppressed emotion—
“I hope to meet Mr. Elliot where his mere brute strength will be laid aside for more honourable and equitable weapons.”
“I shall be happy, at any place or time, to show my sense of Mr. Whitaker’s late courtesy,” replied Frank, bowing slightly, and then drawing up his magnificent figure to its utmost height.
“Let it be now, then, sir,” said the young sailor, stepping back into the centre of the room, and pointing to a brace of sharps, which, among foils and masks, hung on one of the walls.
“Oh, no, no!—for God’s sake, not now!” burst from every one except Frank.
“It can neither be now nor here, sir,” replied he, firmly, motioning Whitaker haughtily to the door.
“Gentlemen,” said Harry, turning round to his friends with a loud laugh of derision, “you see that vanity is stronger than valour. Pompey’s troops were beaten at the battle of Pharsalia, only because they were afraid of their pretty faces. Upon my soul, I believe Mr. Elliot’s handsome features stand in the way of his gallantry.”
“Begone, trifler!” cried Frank, relapsing into fury.
“Coward!” shouted the young sailor at the top of his voice.
“Ha!” exclaimed Elliot, starting, as if an adder had stung him; then, with a convulsive effort controlling his rage, he took down the swords, threw one of them upon the table, and putting his arm into Rhimeson’s, beckoned the young sailor to follow him, and left the apartment. As it was in vain that the remainder of the young men attempted to restrain Whitaker, they agreed to accompany him in a body, in order, if possible, to prevent mischief; all but the young advocate whom we have before mentioned, who, having too great a respect for the law to patronise other methods of redressing grievances, ran off to secure the assistance of the city authorities.