A duel was a fine thing--at a distance.

He wished, however, that he had some one with whom to share the responsibility, now it was come to the point; and he cast a peevish look at Lord Almeric.

But his lordship was, as he had candidly said, 'all of a twitter,' and offered no help.
'I suppose that I am to load,' the unlucky second continued.

'That being so, you, Sir George, must have the choice of pistols.' Sir George bowed assent, and, going a little aside, removed his hat, wig, and cravat; and was about to button his coat to his throat, when he observed that Mr.Dunborough was stripping to his shirt.

Too proud not to follow the example, though prudence suggested that the white linen made him a fair mark, he stripped also, and in a trice the two, kicking off their shoes, moved to the positions assigned to them; and in their breeches and laced lawn shirts, their throats bare, confronted one another.
'Sir George, have you no one to represent you ?' cried the second again, grown querulous under the burden.