One was described as an officer, and the other as a civilian.

They had quarreled at cards, and had fought with pistols.

The civilian had had a narrow escape of his life.

His antagonist's bullet had passed near enough to the side of his neck to tear the flesh, and had missed the vital parts, literally, by a hair's-breadth.
Charlotte's eyes, riveted on Percy, detected a sudden change of color in his face the moment he looked at the newspaper.

That was enough for her.
"You _are_ the man!" she cried.