CONSCIENTIOUS SCRUPLES. 211 



that his reflections were not of the most pleasant kind. 

 Conscientiously he disapproved of duelling; yet here 

 he found himself a principal in an affair which, while 

 he heartily condemned it, he could hardly avoid. 



He tried to quiet the scruples that assailed him by 

 reflecting that to accept the challenge was the only 

 alternative left to him by the threat which M'Leod 

 had uttered. After much consideration, he finally de- 

 termined to be present at the place and time assigned ; 

 but he was firmly resolved not to wield his weapon in 

 his own defence except in the last extremity. He 

 judged it prudent not to tell either Jake or Gaultier of 

 the unpleasant circumstances in which he was involved, 

 lest their advice and assistance might still further em- 

 barrass him; and having left a letter for Gaultier, 

 explaining the unfortunate events which led to his 

 present predicament, Pierre committed himself to sleep 

 with what composure he might. 



After a night disturbed with restless dreams, the 

 young hunter awoke. At first he failed to recall his 

 position, or the circumstances in which he was placed. 

 But gradually the unwelcome facts forced themselves 

 upon his recollection ; and after the first chilling shock 

 had in some degree subsided, he rose and prepared for 

 the event which was to determine his life or death. 



The objections which his conscience had raised on 

 the preceding evening now returned with redoubled 

 force. In vain he opposed to them the specious argu- 

 ments which at all times have been offered to palliate 



(786) H 



