“Mrs Bouncer!” echoed the tallow-chandler, starting back, and crimsoning. Immediately, however, commanding himself, he continued:—“As to the truth of the case, that is another matter; but were it as you represent it, I was unaware that I could be injuring any one in so doing.”
“Now, sir, we have come to the point; rem tetigisti acu; and you speak out plainly. Take your pistol,” bravoed the captain.
“No, no,—not so fast;—perhaps we may understand each other without being driven to that alternative.”
“Well then, sir, abjure her this moment, and resign her to me, or one of our lives must be sacrificed.”
While he was saying this, Daniel laid his hands on one of the pistols, and appeared as if examining it; which motion the captain instantly took for a signal of acquiescence, and “changed his hand, and checked his pride.”
“I hope,” continued he, evidently much softened, “that there shall be no need of resorting to desperate measures. In a word, the affair is this:—I have a written promise from Mrs Bouncer, that, if ever she married a second time, her hand was mine. It matters not with the legality of the measure, though the proceeding took place in the lifetime of her late husband, my friend, Captain Bouncer. It is quite an affair of honour. I assure you, sir, she has vowed to accept of none but me, Captain Thwackeray, as his successor. If you have paid your addresses to her in ignorance of this, I forgive you; if not, we stand opposed as before.”
“Oh ho! if that be the way the land lies,” replied Daniel, with a shrill whistle, “she is yours, captain, for me, and heartily welcome. I resign her unconditionally, as you military gentlemen phrase it. A great deal of trouble is spared by one’s speaking out. If you had told me this, there would have been no reason for loading the pistols. May I now wish you a good morning! ’Od save us! but these are fearful weapons on the table! Good morning, sir.”
“Bless your heart, no,” said Captain Thwackeray, evidently much relieved from his distressing situation. “Oh no, sir; not before we breakfast together;” and, so saying, before Daniel had a moment’s time for reply, he pulled the bell violently.
“Bill, bring in breakfast for two, as expeditiously as possible—(Exit Bill). I knew that no man of honour, such as I know or believe you to be (your appearance bespeaks it), would act such a selfish part as deprive me of my legal right; and I trust that this transaction shall not prevent friendly intercourse between us, if I come, as my present intention is, to take up my abode among you in this town.”
“By no means,” said Daniel; “Mrs Bouncer is yours for me; and as to matrimonials, I am otherwise provided. There are no grounds for contention, captain.”