"What, Admiral Bell?" exclaimed Varney, lifting his eyebrows with surprise.
"What, Charles Holland's uncle!" exclaimed Mr. Chillingworth, in accents of amazement.
"And why not?" said Jack, with great gravity. "I will pledge my word--Jack Pringle's word--that Admiral Bell shall be second to Sir Francis Varney, during his scrimmage with Mr. Henry Bannerworth. That will let the matter go on; there can be no back-out then, eh?" continued Jack Pringle, with a knowing nod at Chillingworth as he spoke.
"That will, I hope, remove your scruples, Mr. Chillingworth," said Varney, with a courteous smile.
"But will Admiral Bell do this?"
"His second says so, and has, I daresay, influence enough with him to induce that person to act in conformity with his promise."
"In course he will. Do you think he would be the man to hang back? Oh, no; he would be the last to leave Jack Pringle in the lurch--no. Depend upon it, Sir Francis, he'll be as sure to do what I say, as I have said it."
"After that assurance, I cannot doubt it," said Sir Francis Varney; "this act of kindness will, indeed, lay me under a deep and lasting obligation to Admiral Bell, which I fear I shall never be able to pay."
"You need not trouble yourself about that," said Jack Pringle; "the admiral will credit all, and you can pay off old scores when his turn comes in the field."
"I will not forget," said Varney; "he deserves every consideration; but now, Mr. Chillingworth, I presume that we may come to some understanding respecting this meeting, which you were so kind as to do me the honour of seeking."
"I cannot object to its taking place. I shall be most happy to meet your second in the field, and will arrange with him."
"I imagine that, under the circumstances, that it will be barely necessary to go to that length of ceremony. Future interviews can be arranged later; name the time and place, and after that we can settle all the rest on the ground."
"Yes," said Jack; "it will be time enough, surely, to see the admiral when we are upon the ground. I'll warrant the old buffer is a true brick as ever was: there's no flinching about him."
"I am satisfied," said Varney.
"And I also," said Chillingworth; "but, understand, Sir Francis, any default for seconds makes the meeting a blank."
"I will not doubt Mr. Pringle's honour so much as to believe it possible."
"I'm d----d," said Jack, "if you ain't a trump-card, and no mistake; it's a great pity as you is a wamphigher."
"The time, Mr. Chillingworth?"
"To-morrow, at seven o'clock," replied that gentleman.
"The place, sir?"
"The best place that I can think of is a level meadow half-way between here and Bannerworth Hall; but that is your privilege, Sir Francis Varney."
"I waive it, and am much obliged to you for the choice of the spot; it seems of the best character imaginable. I will be punctual."
"I think we have nothing further to arrange now," said Mr. Chillingworth. "You will meet with Admiral Bell."
"Certainly. I believe there is nothing more to be done; this affair is very satisfactorily arranged, and much better than I anticipated."
"Good morning, Sir Francis," said Mr. Chillingworth. "Good morning."
"Adieu," said Sir Francis, with a courteous salutation. "Good day, Mr. Pringle, and commend me to the admiral, whose services will be of infinite value to me."
"Don't mention it," said Jack; "the admiral's the man as'd lend any body a helping hand in case of distress like the present; and I'll pledge my word--Jack Pringle's too, as that he'll do what's right, and give up his turn to Mr. Henry Bannerworth; cause you see he can have his turn arterwards, you know--it's only waiting awhile."
"That's all," said Sir Francis.
Jack Pringle made a sea bow and took his leave, as he followed Mr. Chillingworth, and they both left the house together, to return to Bannerworth Hall.
"Well," said Mr. Chillingworth, "I am glad that Sir Francis Varney has got over the difficulty of having no seconds; for it would not be proper or safe to meet a man without a friend for him."
"It ain't the right thing," said Jack hitching up his trousers; "but I was afeard as how he would back out, and that would be just the wrong thing for the admiral; he'd go raving mad."
They had got but very few paces from Sir Francis Varney's house, when they were joined by Marchdale.