arry her were she
to fall sick for love of me, and beg me on her knees to accept her
hand and heart--I really could not!"

Denis rose as if on springs.

"Mr. Hoffland!" he said, "you have basely insulted a young girl whom I
love--the sister of my friend--the best and purest girl in the world.
By Heaven, sir! you shall answer this! But for your delicate
appearance, sir, I would personally chastise you on the spot! But you
do not escape me, sir! Hold yourself in readiness to receive a
challenge from me to-morrow morning, sir!"

"Mr. Denis!" murmured Hoffland, suddenly turning pale and trembling
from head to foot.

"Refuse it, and I will publish you as a coward!" cried Denis, in a
towering rage; "a poltroon who has insulted a lady and refused to hold
himself responsible!"

With which words Denis tossed away; and passing through the crowd of
students, who, hearing angry voices, had risen to their feet, he
entered the college.

Hoffland stood trembling and totally unable to reply to the questions
addressed to him by the crowd. Suddenly he felt a hand upon his
shoulder; and raising his eyes he saw Mowbray.

He uttered a long sigh of relief; and drawing his hat over his eyes,
apparently to conceal his paleness and agitation, took his friend's
arm and dragged him away.

"What in the world is all this about?" asked Mowbray.

"Oh!" said Hoffland, trying to smile, but failing lamentably, "Mr.
Denis is going to kill me!"

And Mowbray felt that the hand upon his arm was trembling.

CHAPTER XIII.

HOFFLAND MAKES HIS WILL.

When they had reached the open street, and the crowd of curious
students were no longer visible, Hoffland, growing gradually calmer,
and with faint smiles, related to his companion what had just
occurred; that is to say, in general terms--rather in substance, it
must be confessed, than in detail. Mr. Denis and himself, he said, had
at first commenced conversing in a very friendly manner, the
conversation had then grown animated, and Mr. Denis had become
somewhat excited; then, at the conclusion of one of his (Hoffland's)
observations, he had declared himself deeply offended, and farther,
announced his intention of dispatching a mortal defiance to him on the
ensuing morning.

Mowbray in vain endeavored to arrive at the particulars of the affair.
Hoffland obstinately evaded detailing the cause of the quarrel.

"Well, Charles," said Mowbray, "you are certainly unlucky--to quarrel
so quick