“Miss Pleydell will not refuse my hand when you have left her. Abandon a field, my lord, which never belonged to yourself——”
“Tut, tut!” said Lord Chudleigh. “This, sir, is idle talk. You cannot seriously imagine——”
“I seriously imagine that, if necessary, I will make my way to that young lady over your lordship’s body, if you stand in my way.”
Lord Chudleigh took off his hat and bowed low.
“Then, sir, the sooner you take the first step in the pursuance of your resolution the better. I will bar your way upon the Downs at any time you may appoint.”
Harry returned the obeisance.
“I wait your lordship’s convenience,” he said.
“My convenience shall be yours, Mr. Temple. For it is you who desire to run me through, not I you. Have your own way.”
“It is late to-night,” said Harry, now quite calm, though with a hot flush upon his cheek. “Your lordship would like to rest. Perhaps to-morrow, after breakfast, while the ladies are at morning prayer.”
Oh, the bloodthirsty wretch!