124 CHALLENGE 



I was standing under the " George " gateway, in 

 the High Street, having just then returned with him 

 from a run with the Hambledon hounds, early in the 

 evening, though it was dark, and conversing on the 

 occurrences of the day, when a female, in passing, 

 ste^Dped on one side, and said, calling him by name, — 



" Surely you will not see a female insulted ?" 



Advancing a step or two into the street, he — I sup- 

 posed inadvertently — said, — 



" I am sure no gentleman would persist in insulting a 

 female." 



The word was sufficient, for an officer in the undress 

 uniform of the Royal Artillery immediately addressed 

 him, and, after a very few Avords, put his card 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 l)e 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 



