“Do,” said Edward.

“Will you take a challenge?”

“I’m a lawyer, Mr. Mars.”

“You won’t take a challenge for a friend, when he’s insulted?”

“I reply again, I am a lawyer.  But this is what I’ll do, if you like.  I’ll go to Mrs. Lovely and inform her that it is your desire to gain her esteem by fighting with pistols.  That will accomplish the purpose you seek.  It will possibly disappoint her, for she will have to stop the affair; but women are born to be disappointed—­they want so much.”

“I’ll fight him some way or other,” said Algernon, glowering; and then his face became bright:  “I say, didn’t she manage that business beautifully this morning?  Not another woman in the world could have done it.”

“Oh, Una and the Lion!  Mrs. Valentine and Orson!  Did you bet with the rest?” his cousin asked.

“I lost my tenner; but what’s that!”

“There will be an additional five to hand over to the man Sedgett.  What’s that!”

“No, hang it!” Algernon shouted.

“You’ve paid your ten for the shadow cheerfully.  Pay your five for the substance.”

“Do you mean to say that Sedgett—­” Algernon stared.

“Miracles, if you come to examine them, Algy, have generally had a pathway prepared for them; and the miracle of the power of female persuasion exhibited this morning was not quite independent of the preliminary agency of a scoundrel.”

“So that’s why you didn’t bet.”  Algernon signified the opening of his intelligence with his eyelids, pronouncing “by jingos” and “by Joves,” to ease the sudden rush of ideas within him.  “You might have let me into the secret, Ned.  I’d lose any number of tens to Peggy Lovell, but a fellow don’t like to be in the dark.”

“Except, Algy, that when you carry light, you’re a general illuminator.  Let the matter drop.  Sedgett has saved you from annoyance.  Take him his five pounds.”

“Annoyance be hanged, my good Ned!” Algernon was aroused to reply.  “I don’t complain, and I’ve done my best to stand in front of you; and as you’ve settled the fellow, I say nothing; but, between us two, who’s the guilty party, and who’s the victim?”

“Didn’t he tell you he had you in his power?”

“I don’t remember that he did.”

“Well, I heard him.  The sturdy cur refused to be bribed, so there was only one way of quieting him; and you see what a thrashing does for that sort of beast.  I, Algy, never abandon a friend; mark that.  Take the five pounds to Sedgett.”

Algernon strode about the room.  “First of all, you stick me up in a theatre, so that I’m seen with a girl; and then you get behind me, and let me be pelted,” he began grumbling.  “And ask a fellow for money, who hasn’t a farthing!  I shan’t literally have a farthing till that horse ‘Templemore’ runs; and then, by George!  I’ll pay my debts.  Jews are awful things!”