My predominant desire was to avoid the necessity of postponing the settlement of the issue between the duke and myself; and a delay to that must needs follow, if I took action in regard to the stable.

Moreover, why should I stir in the matter?
I had a right to waive any grievance of my own; for the rest, it seemed to me that justice was not much concerned in the matter; the merits or demerits of the parties were, in my view, pretty equal; and I questioned the obligation to incur, not only the delay which I detested, but, in all probability, a very risky adventure in a cause which I had very little at heart.
If "the eye" could, by being "ready at six," get out of the stable while the duke and I were engaged otherwise and elsewhere, why--"Let him," said I, "and go to the devil his own way.

He's sure to get there at last!" So I reasoned--or perhaps, I should rather say, so I felt; and I must repeat that I find it difficult now to be very sorry that my mood was what it was.
My half hour was passing.

I crossed back to the window and got in again.
The duke, whose impatience rivaled my own, was waiting for me.

A case of pistols lay on the table and, having held them up for me to see, he slipped them inside his coat.
"Are you ready, sir ?" he asked.