THE WATCH TOWER OF KOAT-VEN. 577 



player he is Sir George Gordon." "Aye, aye! 1 have often heard 

 of him ; then La Jaille captured his brig. He is a gallant seaman, and 

 intrepid as a lion. You must introduce me, I am anxious to be 

 acquainted with him." " Nothing is more easy," answered Saint- 

 Ouen, as they approached Sir George, who was leaning abstractedly 

 against a window. " All is well," thought Henry, "the Baroness de 

 Cernan is aroused to the highest point of excitement, only succeed 

 in obtaining Sir George's secret and she is mine.'* 



The Count de Vaudrey found much more difficulty than he had 

 expected in subduing the chilling politeness of Sir George ; his per- 

 sonal offers of friendship, and compliments upon his engagement 

 with La Jaille, were alike unsuccessful in approaching the desired 

 secret. And, upon Henry's offering him his hand with his most 

 cordial wellwishes, Sir George took it with emotion, expressed his 

 thanks, regretted that he was unable to avail himself of his genero- 

 sity, and retired from the apartment. 



Henry stood confounded for an instant; and he next saw him by 

 the side of Sir George at the foot of the grand staircase of the prince's 

 gallery. " You must not escape me so," cried Henry, holding Sir 

 George by the arm, " I want to speak with you." " What have you 

 to say to me, count?" said the Englishman with the most disconcert- 

 ing calmness. " Why ! I wish to say " " I listen, Sir," said Sir 

 George. Henry, seeing his advances thus constantly repulsed, began, 

 to despair of success, when a bright thought flashed across his mind. 

 " I have to tell you, Sir," said he eagerly, " that I must demand an 

 explanation from you, on the subject of the engagement of your 

 brig; but let us retire to the garden." The Englishman listened 

 with attention. "Yes, Sir," continued Henry, "my friend the Mar- 

 quis de la Jaille told me that you fired upon him at the moment 

 that he came unsuspectingly within your luff, and when you 

 had hauled down your ensign, and that this unfairness on your 

 part alone gave you the advantage of the battle." Sir George's 

 cheeks coloured, his eyes brightened with excitement, as he listened 

 to this accusation ; he nevertheless answered Henry calmly, " Count 

 de Vaudrey, the Marquis de la Jaille is a liar!" "A liar!" cried 

 Henry, "a liar! do you know that this insult is personal i" " Take 

 it, Sir, as you translate it. Your conversation has been for some time 

 most annoying to me." "Follow me then, Sir," said Henry. "It 

 must be moonlight in the avenue of Saint-Cloud ; we will repair to 

 the residence of the Prince de Moritbarry, who has company, and 

 seek seconds." " I am at your service, count," answered Sir George, 

 making a salutation. I shall indeed be unfortunate if I do not gain 

 this precious secret now, thought Henry, for this Englishman in- 

 terests me extremely, and I never felt so lively an impression of 

 friendship for any man. In two minutes after their arrival at the 

 prince's, two carriages rolled rapidly along the road to Paris : in one 

 was Lord Fellows and Sir George Gordon ; in the other the Count 

 de Vaudrey and Marquis Rullecourt. They stopped near the chateau 

 of Chenil-neux. " As soon as you please," said Sir George, placing 

 himself before the count. The seconds gave the signal and the 

 swords of the opponents clashed. Henry was evidently the better 



