Harry soon overtook them, and walking up to the side of the young baron, touched him on the shoulder.
“We had a little affair to settle the other day, baron,” said Harry.
The young baron hesitated.
“I was labouring under a mistake. I confess it,” he answered. “Colonel Everard has spoken to me, and has made me promise not to carry the matter further. I did not consider that you had a right to interfere, and I was, therefore, angry. I tender you my apology.”
Harry hesitated a moment. Was it generosity or cowardice which made the young baron act in this way? “It is the first, I am sure,” thought Harry. “I accept your apology gladly,” he answered.
The young men shook hands and walked on side by side, both probably feeling much happier than they did before. They might, to be sure, have caused some sensation in the place had they fought; but even had one of them been killed, the event would probably have been no more than a “nine days’ wonder,” and even his most intimate acquaintance would soon have ceased to mourn. The two after this became fast friends.
The baron especially had many interesting adventures to relate, especially those he had undergone in escaping from France—“La belle France!” as he still called his native country.