to him quietly, kindly, but in a peremptory tone, as one might speak to a child:
“Francis,” she said quietly. “Listen to me! Don’t be an idiot! What does it matter about that wretched little man? It’s all over now! A duel! Good heavens! Don’t be such a child! Whoever heard of such a thing?”
His face reddened a little from her ridicule, but he answered, in a cold impassive tone:
“Quite! Nevertheless, I shall meet him if he wants it!”
“Meet him!” Elinor cried again. “Oh, Francis, how can you be so stupid! Meet him with what?”
“With whatever weapon he wants to use,” Starwick replied. “Pistols or swords—it doesn’t matter!”
“Pistols or swords!” Elinor shrieked faintly, and began to laugh. “Why, you idiot, what do you know about pistols or swords? You’ve never had a sword in your hand in your life—and as for pistols, you wouldn’t even know how to point the thing and press the trigger!”
“It doesn’t matter,” he said in a very quiet and fatal way. “I shall fire into the air.”
In spite of the ridiculous and melodramatic quality of these foolish words, no one laughed. They saw suddenly what fatal consequences this farcical situation might have, and having felt the desperation of his soul—that terrible despair which now seemed to be driving him on to seek ruin everywhere—they knew he would do exactly as he said, if given the opportunity.
Elinor started to go: she beckoned to a waiter and called for the bill, and said persuasively:
“Come on! Let’s get out of this place! You’ve had too much to drink! I think your head needs clearing—a little fresh air will do you good. You’ll feel different about all this tomorrow!”
“But not at all!” he said patiently, and then, as she started to get up: “Will you please sit down. We’re not going yet.”
“But why, darling? Aren’t you ready? Haven’t you raised enough hell for one evening—or do you want to fight a duel with someone else? Besides, I do think you might think of Ann. I know she’s wanted to go for some time.”
“But why?” he said, turning to Ann with an air of fine surprise. “Aren’t you enjoying yourself? It’s a very good place, and the music is awfully good—it really is, you know.”
“Oh, charming, charming!” she muttered sarcastically. She had been staring
