d
with emery, were forced down the barrels by a hammer, the hair trigger
adjusted, and the weapon delivered to Lady Hester with due solemnity.

"If I go wide of the mark, Colonel, I beg you to remember that I have
not had a pistol in my hand for above three years; indeed, it must be
nearly four years since I shot a match with Lord Norwood."

"Lord Norwood! indeed!" said Haggerstone. "I wasn't aware that your
Ladyship had ever been his antagonist."

Had not Lady Hester been herself anxious to hide the confusion the
allusion to the viscount always occasioned her, she could not have
failed to remark how uncomfortably astonished was Haggerstone at the
mention of that name. Nervously eager to do something anything that
might relieve her embarrassment she pulled the trigger; but the aim was
an erring one, and no trace of the bullet to be seen.

"There 's no use in looking for it, Colonel Haggerstone," said she,
pettishly; "I'm certain I was very wide of the mark."

"I 'm positive I saw the plaster drop from the wall somewhere
hereabouts," said the complaisant Colonel, pointing to a spot close
beside the figure. "Yes, and the twigs are broken here."

"No matter; I certainly missed, and that's quite enough. I told you I
should, before I fired; and when one has the anticipation of failure, it
is so easy to vindicate the impression."

[Illustration: 094]

It was in evident chagrin at her want of success that she spoke, and all
her companion's flatteries went for nothing. Meanwhile, he presented the
second pistol, which, taking hastily, and without giving herself time
for an aim, she discharged with a like result.

"I 'll not try again," said she, pettishly. "Either the pistols don't
suit me, or the place or the light is bad. Something is wrong, that's
certain."

Haggerstone bit his lip in silence, and went on reloading the pistols
without trusting himself to reply. A little conflict was going on within
him, and all his intended flatteries for her Ladyship were warring with
the desire to display his own skill, for he was a celebrated shot, and
not a little vain of the accomplishment. Vanity carried the day at last,
and taking up the weapon, he raised it slowly to a level with his eye. A
second or two he held it thus, his hand steady as a piece of marble.

"I have taken my aim, and now you may give the word for me to fire when
you please," said he, turning his eyes from the object, and looking
straight at Lady Hester