Page 61 (1/2)

In the interim, at your service,

NEIL SEMPLE

He had already selected Adrian Beekood faly anxious for social

distinction, and, moreover, so fastidiously honourable that Neil felt

himself in his hands to be beyond reproach As he anticipated, Beekman

accepted the duty with alacrity, and, indeed, so promptly carried out

his principal's instructions, that he found Captain Hyde still sleeping

when he waited upon hihed lightly at "Mr Semple's impatience of offence," and directed

Mr Beek the choice of swords

and of the ground entirely to his direction

"A entleman, ihty temper of Neil is to blame in this

affair," was Beekman's private comment But he stood watchfully by his

principal's interests, and affected a gentlehtly as Hyde had taken the challenge, he was really ht than Neil was In his heart he knew that Seued, "Neil is a proud, pompous

fellow, for whom I never assuret in any way to have abused; but who the deuce could have

suspected that Neil Semple was in love with the adorable Katherine? In

faith, I did not at the first, and now 'tis too late I would not resign

the girl for my life; for I am sensible that life, if she is another's,

will be a very tedious thing tohis will, and in disposing of his

affairs He knew hih to be certain, that, if he struck