interrupted you; but the conclusion I already know,--Mr Monckton is
dead!"

"Not dead," cried he; "dangerously, indeed, wounded, but thank heaven,
not actually dead!"

"Not dead?" cried Cecilia, with recruited strength and spirits, "Oh
then all yet may be well!--if he is not dead; he may recover!"

"He may; I hope he will!"

"Now, then," she cried, "tell me all: I can bear any intelligence but
of death by human means."

"I meant not to have gone such lengths; far from it; I hold duels in
abhorrence, as unjustifiable acts of violence, and savage devices of
revenge. I have offended against my own conviction,--but, transported
with passion at his infamous charges, I was not master of my reason; I
accused hum of his perfidy; he denied it; I told him I had it from my
father,--he changed the subject to pour abuse upon him; I insisted on a
recantation to clear you; he asked by what right? I fiercely answered;
by a husband's! His countenance, then, explained at least the motives
of his treachery,--he loves you himself! he had probably schemed to
keep you free till his wife died, and then concluded his machinations
would secure you his own. For this purpose, finding he was in danger of
losing you, he was content even to blast your character, rather than
suffer you to escape him! But the moment I acknowledged my marriage he
grew more furious than myself; and, in short-for why relate the
frenzies of rage? we walked out together; my travelling pistols were
already charged; I gave him his choice of them, and, the challenge