Edward with
a grave, courteous bow.

"You have done me the honour of an unexpected visit, Mr. Meredith," he
says. "I trust Lady Horsingham has entertained you hospitably! Pray do
not stir, madam. Mr. Meredith, we are now quits; you saved my life
when you encountered Colonel Bludyer; I forbore from taking yours when
I had proofs that it was my right. We have now entered on a fresh
account, but the game shall be fairly played. Mr. Meredith, you are a
man of honour--yes, it shall be fairly played." Ned's lip quivered,
but he bowed and stood perfectly still. "Lady Horsingham," continued
Sir Hugh, "be good enough to hand me those tables; they contain a
dice-box.--Nay, Mr. Meredith," seeing Ned about to assist the
helpless, frightened woman; "when _present_, at least, I expect my
wife to obey me." Lucy was forced to rise, and, trembling in every
limb, to present the tables to her lord. Sir Hugh placed the dice-box
on the table, laid his pistols beside it, and, taking a seat, motioned
to Cousin Edward to do the same. "You are a man of honour, Mr.
Meredith," he repeated; "we will throw three times, and the highest
caster shall blow the other's brains out." Lucy shrieked and rushed to
the door; it was fast, and her husband forced her to sit down and
watch the ghastly game.

"Good God, Sir Hugh!" exclaimed Cousin Edward, "this is too
horrible--for your wife's sake--any reparation I can make, I will; but
this is murder, deliberate murder!"

"You are a man of honour, Mr. Meredith," reiterated Sir Hugh. "I ask
for no reparation but this--the chances are equal if the stakes are
high. You are my guest, or rather, I should say, _Lady Horsingham's
guest_. Begin." Cousin Edward's face turned ghastly pale. He took the
box, shook it, hesitated; but the immovable eye was fixed on him, the
stern lips repeated once more, "You are a man of honour," and he
threw--"Four." It was now Sir Hugh's turn. With a courteous bow he
received the box, and threw--"Seven." Again the adversaries cast, the
one a six, the other a three; and now they were even in the ghastly
match. Once more Cousin Edward shook the box, and the leaping dice
turned up--"Eleven." Lucy's white face stood out in the lamplight, as
she watched with stony eyes that seemed to have lost the very power of
sight.

"For God's sake, forego this frightful determination, Sir Hugh,"
pleaded Cousin Edward; "take my life in a fair field. I will offer no
resistance; but you can hardly expec