to keep a foe at bay with his fists; and the next instant the two lads were grappling with one another in a style unknown to civilised warfare, and only in estimation among wild cats. The Frenchman was the elder and stronger, but in France 'we do not' (as I once heard a Frenchman. say), "devil up" our physique except at billiards,' whereas Dick's practice with the oar and the bat, and especially his experience of football scrimmages, made the conflict more equal than could have been supposed.

It was still doubtful which of these writhing, furious young creatures would have floored the other, when the door opened and each of the combatants was suddenly seized, torn asunder from the other, and held apart by an arm of iron.

'Are you drunk or mad, Charles, that you brawl at midnight beneath my roof as though it were a tavern in Belleville!' cried a stern, metallic voice; and you, Richard, are you not ashamed to treat in this fashion a stranger and your father's guest?'

Francis Talbot was in his dressing-gown and slippers, a garb not conducive to dramatic effect, but as he stood, firm as a rod of steel, glancing from one to the other of the flushed and breathless objects of his reproof, he looked not only the master of the situation, but of much else besides. He was no taller than the others, but he seemed to tower above them; his face, his voice were instinct with a nature far more powerful than theirs; his eyes, always bright and fervid, had a flash of 'will' in them, before which these lesser spirits cowered abashed.

De Blaise was the first to speak. 'I confess, sir, I forgot myself, when I struck your son,' said he, submissively.

'He did not strike me first,' said Dick, honestly enough, yet not perhaps without a touch of pride in the confession; and it was I who gave the provocation.'

'What was that?'

'A thoughtless insult,' put in De Blaise hastily. 'There is no need to repeat it; the young gentleman did not know what he was saying.'

The young gentleman' was by no means prepared to endorse that statement, which was accompanied by a significant glance at the broken punch-bowl; but on the other hand it was impossible to attempt in his father's presence any explanation of what had recently happened.

'At all events, Richard, you little knew what you were doing,' observed Mr. Talbot, in stern tones. His face was working with intense emotion, and his fingers, which until now had held the quondam combatants as in a vice, relaxed their grasp. 'Shake hands with him, and go to your room; and ere you lay your head upon your pillow, thank Heaven for having sent me hither to prevent a grievous sin, perchance a crime.'

Richard held out his hand somewhat doggedly, which the other formally took aud dropped. They were a pair that would make peace with one another under compulsion, but never friends.

Dick looked towards his father, but there was to be no second farewell for him that

158 LESS BLACK THAN WE'RE PAINTED.

night; he only pointed sternly to the

door.

A grievous sin,' muttered the young scapegrace, as he went thoughtfully up the broad oak stairs (for recent events had sobered him), 'must needs mean striking my brother. Well, that is no great matter, for Jones major and Jones minor had twenty rounds in " sixpenny corner" last

half, and were none the worse friends for it. And as for the "crime," that would have been all upon one side, for the Frenchman would have throttled me in a minute more, though I would rather die than confess it. Well, I don't wish to be hard upon the governor, but I don't think that fellow ought ever to have come here.'

CHAPTER IX.

THE STAIN OF BLOOD.

WHEN Richard Talbot awoke next morning he had but a confused consciousness of what had taken place over night. The punch that he had brewed so strong, with a view to "floor" the Rector, had had its effect upon his own brain. He had a general notion that he had fought a Frenchman, but no idea of the cause of quarrel. He had an indistinct recollection of having made some insulting observation to him— probably in connection with Waterloo. His father had been angry with him for having outraged the rights of hospitality—yes, he remembered now-and upon another ac

count.

This gave him pause, and set his