222 CHALLENGE. 



into my friend's hand, and, saying that 

 he expected to hear from him as soon 

 as possible, turned on his heel, and 

 walked away. 



My friend, who did not seem at all 

 flushed with this short but significant 

 interview, which scarcely lasted a minute, 

 took hold of my arm, and saying, " this 

 is a pretty piece of business/' walked 

 with me to my house, about thirty 

 yards higher up the street. Seating him- 

 self, very coolly he added, 



"You must go out with me." 

 I looked at him with astonishment, 

 and told him such a thing was out of 

 the question ; but he persisted, and 

 would take no denial, on the threat of 

 his cutting me. I tried to convince 

 him it would be more in unison with 

 general usage on such occasions to seek 

 the aid of a brother officer than a 

 civilian like myself. To this he would 

 not listen, as his colonel was not the 



