an could be, was enraged at Dorriforth for
the cause of the challenge, but was still more enraged at his wickedness
in accepting it. He applauded his pupil's virtue in making the
discovery, and congratulated himself that he should be the instrument
of saving not only his friend's life, but of preventing the scandal of
his being engaged in a duel.

In the ardour of his designs, he went immediately to Miss
Milner's--entered that house which he had so long refused to enter, and
at a time when he was upon aggravated bad terms with its owner.

He asked for Dorriforth, went hastily into his apartment, and poured
upon him a torrent of rebukes. Dorriforth bore all he said with the
patience of a devotee, but with the firmness of a man. He owned his
fault, but no eloquence could make him recall the promise he had given
to repair the injury. Unshaken by the arguments, persuasions, and
menaces of Sandford, he gave an additional proof of that inflexibility
for which he had been long distinguished--and after a dispute of two
hours, they parted, neither of them the better for what either had
advanced, but Dorriforth something the worse; his conscience gave
testimony to Sandford's opinion, "that he was bound by ties more sacred
than worldly honour." But while he owned, he would not yield to the
duty.

Sandford left him, determined, however, that Lord Elmwood should not be
accessory in his guilt, and this he declared; upon which Dorriforth took
the resolution of seeking another second.

In passing through the house on his return home, Sandford met, by
accident, Mrs. Horton, Miss Milner, and the other two ladies returning
from a saunter in the garden. Surprised at the sight of Mr. Sandford in
her house, Miss Milner would not express that surprise, but going up to
him with all the friendly benevolence which in general played about her
heart, she took hold of one of his hands, and pressed it with a kindness
which told him more forcibly that he was welcome, than if she had made
the most elaborate speech to convince him of it. He, however, seemed
little touched with her behaviour, and as an excuse for breaking his
word, cried,

"I beg your pardon, madam, but I was brought hither in my anxiety to
prevent murder."

"Murder!" exclaimed all the ladies.

"Yes," answered he, addressing himself to Miss Fenton, "your betrothed
husband is a party concerned; he is going to be second to Mr.
Dorriforth, who means this very evening to be killed