"If you are as weary of your lives as I am, I will find
time and place to pledge mine against one or both; at present, I have no
leisure for the disputes of triflers."
"Triflers!" echoed Colonel Ashton, half unsheathing his sword, while
Bucklaw laid his hand on the hilt of that which Craigengelt had just
reached him.
Sir William Ashton, alarmed for his son's safety, rushed between the
young men and Ravenswood, exclaiming: "My son, I command you--Bucklaw, I
entreat you--keep the peace, in the name of the Queen and of the law!"
"In the name of the law of God," said Bide-the-Bent, advancing also with
uplifted hands between Bucklaw, the Colonel, and the object of their
resentment--"in the name of Him who brought peace on earth and good-will
to mankind, I implore--I beseech--I command you to forbear violence
towards each other! God hateth the bloodthirsty man; he who striketh
with the sword shall perish with the sword."
"Do you take me for a dog, sir" said Colonel Ashton, turning fiercely
upon him, "or something more brutally stupid, to endure this insult in
my father's house? Let me go, Bucklaw! He shall account to me, or, by
Heavens, I will stab him where he stands!"
"You shall not touch him here," said Bucklaw; "he once gave me my
life, and were he the devil come to fly away with the whole house and
generation, he shall have nothing but fair play.
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