"
Captain Jeremy Runacles sat down on the rustic bench. A hot flush
had sprung into his face and a light leapt in his eyes; but he said
nothing. Captain Barker cocked his head on one side and went on--
"Yes, you lied, Jemmy. That fellow, as I guess, ran off and left
her, finding that the old man had the courage to die without coming
to reason. He went back to his regiment, sailed, and was drowned in
a ditch. She's back at the old house, and in want."
"You've seen her?"
"Look here, Jemmy. You and I are a couple of tomfools; but we try to
play fair."
"Upon my soul, Jack," observed Captain Jemmy, rising to his feet
again, "we can't fight. You're too good a fellow to kill."
"H'mph, I was thinking that."
As if by consent, the pair began to pace up and down the turf, one on
either side of the gravelled path. At the end of three minutes
Captain Jack looked up.
"After all, you've been married once, whereas I--"
"That doesn't count," the other interrupted. "I married in an
unguarded moment. I was huffed with Meg."
"No, I suppose it doesn't count."
They resumed their walk. Captain Jemmy was the next to speak.
"It seems to me Meg must decide."
"Yes, but we must start fair."
"The devil! we can't propose one in each ear.
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