n, 48th
Foot, Barracks, Mallow." He shall have it in less than a quarter of an
hour.'

"The Major was as good as his word, and in about half an hour he brought
back the result of his mission. The Ensign, he told us, was extremely
reluctant to fight, and wanted to be off, on the ground that he had
meant no offence, did not even remember having used the expression, and
offered to ask the lady if she conceived for a moment he had any idea of
saying anything but what was complimentary to her.

"'In fact,' said the Major, 'he at first plumply refused to fight; but I
soon brought him to reason. "Sir," said I, "you either consent to fight,
or refuse to fight. In the first case, the thing is settled to hand,
and we are not called upon to inquire if there was an affront or not--in
the second case, your refusal to comply with a gentleman's request is,
of itself, an offence for which he has a right to call you out. Put it,
then, on any grounds, you must fight him. It is perfectly indifferent to
me what the grounds may be; and I have only to request the name of your
friend, as I too much respect the coat you wear to think that there can
be any other alternative." This brought the chap to his senses, and he
referred me to Captain Codd, of his own regiment, at which I felt much
pleased, because Codd is an intimate friend of my own, he and I having
fought a duel three years ago in Falmouth, in which I lost the top of
this little finger, and he his left whisker. It was a near touch. He is
as honourable a man as ever paced a ground; and I am sure that he will
no more let his man off the field until business is done, than I would
myself.'

"I own," continued Burke, "I did not half relish this announcement of
the firm purpose of our seconds; but I was in for it, and could not get
back. I sometimes thought Dosy a dear purchase at such an expense; but
it was no use to grumble. Major Mug was sorry to say that there was a
review to take place immediately, at which the Ensign must attend, and
it was impossible for him to meet me until the evening; 'but,' added he,
'at this time of the year it can be of no great consequence. There will
be plenty of light till nine, but I have fixed _seven_. In the mean
time, you may as well divert yourself with a little pistol-practice, but
do it on the sly, as, if they were shabby enough to have a trial, it
would not tell well before the jury.'

"Promising to take a quiet chop with me at five, the Major re