RODERICK (V.O.)
In spite of my precautions to secrecy, I half-suspected that my mother knew all from the manner in which she embraced me on my arrival, and received our guest, Captain Grogan.
His mother looks a little anxious and flushed and, every now and then, gazes very hard into the Captain's face.
RODERICK (V.O.)
But she would not say a word about the quarrel, for she had a noble spirit, and would as lief have seen any one of her kindred hanged as shirking from the field of honor.
Roderick waking up.
RODERICK (V.O.)
I never slept sounder in my life, though I woke a little earlier than usual, and you may be sure my first thought was of the event of the day, for which I was fully prepared.
Roderick at table with paper and ink.
RODERICK (V.O.)
And now I sat down and wrote a couple of letters; they might be the last, thought I, that I should ever write in my life.
See him write: "Dearest Mother."
RODERICK (V.O.)
Then I went down to breakfast, where my mother was waiting for me, you may be sure. We did not say a single word about what was taking place.
Roderick eats his breakfast with a good appetite; but in helping himself to salt, spills it, on which his mother starts up with a scream.
MOTHER
Thank God, it's fallen towards me! And then, her heart being too full, she leaves the room.
RODERICK (V.O.)
Ah! They have their faults, those mothers; but are there any other women like them?
There is an elegant, silver-mounted sword that hangs on the mantelpiece under the picture of Roderick's late father.
A pair of pistols hang on each side of the picture.
Roderick takes down the sword and pistols, which are bright and well-oiled, and collects flints, balls and gunpowder.
Captain Grogan and Orderly arrive.
RODERICK
Have you taken my message to him?
CAPTAIN GROGAN
The meeting is arranged. Captain Best is waiting for you now.
RODERICK
My mare is saddled and ready; who's the captain's second?
CAPTAIN GROGAN
Your cousins go out with him. Roderick and Grogan, and the Orderly ride off.
RODERICK (V.O.)
I didn't take leave of Mrs. James. The curtains of her bedroom-windows were down, and they didn't move as we mounted and trotted off.
They ride their horses at a leisurely pace.
CAPTAIN GROGAN
That's a very handsome sword you have there.
RODERICK
It was with this sword that my late father, Harry James, God rest his soul, met Sir Huddelstone Fuddelstone, the Hampshire baronet, and was fatally run through the neck. He was quite in the wrong, having insulted Lady Fuddelstone, when in liquor, at the Brentford Assembly. But, like a gentleman, he scorned to apologize.
CAPTAIN GROGAN
And now you risk the same fate. If you are killed, your mother is all alone in the world.
RODERICK
I am Harry James' son, and will act as becomes my name and quality.
Harry, Michael and the Captain are already there. Best, flaming in red regimentals, a big a monster as ever led a grenadier company. The party are laughing together.
RODERICK
(to Captain Grogan)
I hope to spoil this sport, and trust to see this sword of mine in that big bully's body.
CAPTAIN GROGAN
Oh, it's with pistols we fight. You are no match for Best with the sword.
RODERICK