ay, who fancied he was a fine study, and wished to make a drawing of
his head."

Simms's jaw dropped suddenly, and a sickly faintness stole over him,
that even all his late potations could not supply courage enough to hear
such a story unmoved.

"And who is he, sir, yonder?" asked he, as a youth, with no other
clothing than a shirt and trousers, was fencing against a tree,
practising, by bounds and springs, every imaginable species of attack
and assault.

"A young Spaniard from the Basque," said Cashel, coolly; "he has a duel
to-morrow with some fellow in Barcelonetta, and he 's getting his wrist
into play." Then calling out, he said, "Ah, Jose, you mean to let blood,
I see!"

"He's only a student," said the youth, with an insolent toss of his
head. "But who have we here?"

"A friend and countryman of mine, Mr. Simms," said Cashel, introducing
the little man, who performed a whole circuit round the young Spaniard
in salutations.

"Come to join us?" asked the youth, surveying him with cool
impertinence. "What in the devil's name hast thou done that thou
shouldst leave the Old World at thy time of life? Virtuous living or
hypocrisy ought to have become a habit with thee ere now, old boy, eh?"

"He's only on a visit," said Cashel, laughing; "he can return to good
society, not like all of us here."

"Would you infer from that, sir--"

"Keep your temper, Jose," said Cashel, with an indescribable assumption
of insolent superiority; "or, if you cannot, keep your courage for the
students, whose broils best suit you."

"You presume somewhat too far on your skill with the rapier, Senhor
Cashel," said the other, but in a voice far less elevated than before.

"You can test the presumption at any moment," said Cashel, insolently;
"now, if you like it."

"Oh, Mr. Cashel! oh, Mr. Roland! for mercy's sake, don't!" exclaimed
Simms.

"Never fear," interposed Cashel; "that excellent young man has better
principles than you fancy, and never neglects, though he sometimes
forgets, himself."

So saying, he leisurely passed his arm beneath Simms's, and led him
forward.

"Good day, Senhor Cashel," said a tall and well-dressed man, who made
his salutations with a certain air of distinction that induced Simms to
inquire who and what he was.

"A general in the service of one of the minor States of Germany," said
Cashel; "a man of great professional skill, and, it is said, of great
personal bravery."

"And in what capacity