"Oh, do, do," cried Viviette. "Let us go through with it and see just how the duel was fought. It will be thrilling. You'll have to fall dead like Lord Estcombe, and I'll burst into the room and tear my hair over your poor corpse. Do, Austin, for my sake."
He yielded. Any foolishness for her sake. He took a pistol.
"You'll have to be Major Hawkins, Katherine," he said lightly, as if inviting her to condescend to some child's game.
But Katherine put her hands before her face and shrank back. "No, no, no. I couldn't. I don't like it."
"Then I'll be Major Hawkins," said Viviette.
"You will?" Dick laughed harshly. "Then be it so."
"I know just what they did."
She placed the men back to back, so that Austin faced the further end of the room and Dick the open French window. They were to take three paces, count one, two, three, and, at the end of the third pace, they were to turn and fire.
Dick felt the touch of Austin's shoulder against his, and the flame at his heart grew fiercer and the hell in his throat more burning, and the universe whirled round in a red mist. Viviette moved to the weapon-laden table.
"Now. One--two--three!"