er's skill and proficiency, and the one
that shall prove the aptest scholar be declared victor in the contest
between us. Do you accept the challenge?"

"I accept nothing from you; your pretended friendship I despise; your
threats I hold in as much contempt as I do their author; your intended
insults I will pay back even to death, sir!" and as she spoke, there was a
flashing light in her eye which gave the villain to understand she meant
all she said; but assuming not to heed his convictions on that point, here
plied, with as much seeming ease as he could command:

"Oh, I have heard such talk before."

"Yes, and like the base coward you are, you sprang from the dagger at your
breast, even though it was but a woman's hand that held it."

"Girl! don't presume too far on my forbearance! I warn you in time to
beware of that!"

"I presume nothing on any good trait of character or nobleness of soul you
may possess, sir, but on your _cowardice_!"

"Do you wish to drive me to extremes?"

"You are already on the extremest verge of all that is vile and loathsome."

"By the furies of h----, I'll not endure this longer!"

"Oh, yes, you will; you need not expect any other treatment so long as you
continue to force your unwelcome and disgusting presence upon me. I have
not taken lessons in the school of which you were talking, in vain: and as
you set yourself up as a rival, just exercise your skill; I ask no favors,
and fear not your opposition."

"Yes, you do; with all your boasting, you fear me, coward though I be, at
this very moment."

"Yes, exactly as I fear the proximity of any other corrupt thing with which
it is unpleasant to come in contact. There is a certain small animal of the
cat species, bearing, however, another and very significant name, with
which it would be about as disagreeable to come in contact as with
yourself; as I would fear it, so I fear you; in my estimation you are
equally vile and equally to be avoided."

Again Duffel grew red in the face with rage, and he was on the point of
seizing and overpowering Eveline; but his eye fell upon the dagger, which
she held in her hand, and prudence or cowardice held him back. His response
was given with savage malice:

"I'll take the fire out of your temper, ere you are many hours older; mark
that! You have gone too far for me longer to continue my gentle dealings
toward you. I have endeavored to persuade you, I have expostulated with
you, and made all rea