you your choice of any way in which a man can be
killed, from the sword of the prince to the fist of the blackguard."

To this furious onslaught of words the whole group of young noblemen
answered by a smile. "Agreed," they said.

"I choose pistols," said Burlington.

"I," said Escrick, "the ancient combat of the lists, with the mace and
the dagger."

"I," said Holderness, "the duel with two knives, long and short,
stripped to the waist, and breast to breast."

"Lord David," said the Earl of Thanet, "you are a Scot. I choose the
claymore."

"I the sword," said Rockingham.

"I," said Duke Ralph, "prefer the fists; 'tis noblest."

Gwynplaine came out from the shadow. He directed his steps towards him
whom he had hitherto called Tom-Jim-Jack, but in whom now, however, he
began to perceive something more. "I thank you," said he, "but this is
my business."

Every head turned towards him.

Gwynplaine advanced. He felt himself impelled towards the man whom he
heard called Lord David--his defender, and perhaps something nearer.
Lord David drew back.

"Oh!" said he. "It is you, is it? This is well-timed. I have a word for
you as well. Just now you spoke of a woman who, after having loved Lord
Linnaeus Clancharlie, loved Charles II."

"It is true."

"Sir, you insulted my mother."

"Your mother!" cried Gwynplaine. "In that case, as I guessed, we are--"

"Brothers," answered Lord David, and he struck Gwynplaine. "We are
brothers," said he; "so we can fight. One can only fight one's equal;
who is one's equal if not one's brother? I will send you my seconds;
to-morrow we will cut each other's throats."

BOOK THE NINTH.

_IN RUINS._

CHAPTER I.

IT IS THROUGH EXCESS OF GREATNESS THAT MAN REACHES EXCESS OF MISERY.

As midnight tolled from St. Paul's, a man who had just crossed London
Bridge struck into the lanes of Southwark. There were no lamps lighted,
it being at that time the custom in London, as in Paris, to extinguish
the public lamps at eleven o'clock--that is, to put them out just as
they became necessary. The streets were dark and deserted. When the
lamps are out men stay in. He whom we speak of advanced with hurried
strides. He was strangely dressed for walking at such an hour. He wore a
coat of embroidered silk, a sword by his side, a hat with white plumes,
and no cloak. The watchmen, as they saw him pass, said, "It is a lord
walking for a wager," and they moved out of his way with th