I'll introduce her to the king--" "No, by God, you'll not introduce her to the king! I'll explode the whole affair, and Dunkirk may go to the devil before you shall introduce Betty to the king," I answered.
"Yet you are willing that I should meddle in the dangerous affair?
Evidently you love her more than you love me ?" "Only a few hundred million times more," I answered sullenly.
"Is it that way with you, my dear brother ?" she asked, coming to me as I stood gazing out the window, seeing nothing save Bettina's face.

Frances put her hand on my shoulder and said coaxingly: "Forgive me.

No harm shall come to her through me." Of course I was sorry that I had allowed myself to become angry, and at once made my apology as well as I could.
"Let us go to see Betty, anyway," said Frances.

And I assenting, she went to fetch her cloak, hat, and vizard.
But when she returned, I had changed my mind and declined to go, telling Frances that I must see Bettina no more.
"Why ?" asked Frances.
"Because I would not win a love from her which I cannot accept." "Baron Ned, there are few men who would be so considerate." But I required little coaxing, and when Frances had made ready for the journey, I buckled on my sword, which I had left standing in the corner, took my hat from the floor, and started out with her.
While walking from the Bridge to the Old Swan, I remarked to Frances, "My engagement with Mary Hamilton is likely to be broken by her family." "Why, Baron Ned ?" she asked in surprise.
"Count Hamilton has challenged me to a duel, to be fought when he returns, and you see, if I kill him or if he kills me, well--" I answered, shrugging my shoulders.
She was much alarmed at my disclosure, but was reassured when I made light of the affair, probably because there was no danger in it to George Hamilton, and, perhaps, because if I should kill Count Hamilton, George would inherit the title and estates.
"But poor Mary! She will grieve," said Frances.
"I think you need waste no tears for her sake," I answered.

"She is a fine, pretty little creature, who will take what comes her way without excess of pain or joy.