Champdivers was
wanted: what was to connect him with St. Ives? Major Chevenix
would recognise me if he met me; that was beyond bargaining: he
had seen me so often, his interest had been kindled to so high a
point, that I could hope to deceive him by no stratagem of
disguise. Well, even so; he would have a competition of testimony
before him: he knew Clausel, he knew me, and I was sure he would
decide for honour. At the same time the image of Flora shot up in
my mind's eye with such a radiancy as fairly overwhelmed all other
considerations; the blood sprang to every corner of my body, and I
vowed I would see and win her, if it cost my neck.
'Very annoying, no doubt,' said I, as I returned the paper to Mr.
Romaine.
'Is annoying your word for it?' said he.
'Exasperating, if you like,' I admitted.
'And true?' he inquired.
'Well, true in a sense,' said I. 'But perhaps I had better answer
that question by putting you in possession of the facts?'
'I think so, indeed,' said he.
I narrated to him as much as seemed necessary of the quarrel, the
duel, the death of Goguelat, and the character of Clausel. He
heard me through in a forbidding silence, nor did he at all betray
the nature of his sentiments, except that, at the episode of the
scissors, I could observe his mulberry face to turn three shades
paler.
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