It is not, however, quite satisfactory to me, because I am accustomed to be the guardian of my own honour." "An easy task, I presume, in all cases, Mr.Tyrrel," answered Jekyl, "but peculiarly so in the present, when you will find no one so hardy as to assail it .-- My interference, indeed, would have been unjustifiably officious, had I not been at the moment undertaking a commission implying confidential intercourse with you.

For the sake of my own character, it became necessary to establish yours.

I know the truth of the whole affair from my friend, the Earl of Etherington, who ought to thank Heaven so long as he lives, that saved him on that occasion from the commission of a very great crime." "Your friend, sir, has had, in the course of his life, much to thank Heaven for, but more for which to ask God's forgiveness." "I am no divine, sir," replied Captain Jekyl, with spirit; "but I have been told that the same may be said of most men alive." "I, at least, cannot dispute it," said Tyrrel; "but, to proceed .-- Have you found yourself at liberty, Captain Jekyl, to deliver to the public the whole particulars of a rencontre so singular as that which took place between your friend and me ?" "I have not, sir," said Jekyl--"I judged it a matter of great delicacy, and which each of you had the like interest to preserve secret." "May I beg to know, then," said Tyrrel, "how it was possible for you to vindicate my absence from Sir Bingo's rendezvous otherwise ?" "It was only necessary, sir, to pledge my word as a gentleman and a man of honour, characters in which I am pretty well known to the world, that, to my certain personal knowledge, you were hurt in an affair with a friend of mine, the further particulars of which prudence required should be sunk into oblivion.

I think no one will venture to dispute my word, or to require more than my assurance .-- If there should be any one very hard of faith on the occasion, I shall find a way to satisfy him.
In the meanwhile, your outlawry has been rescinded in the most honourable manner; and Sir Bingo, in consideration of his share in giving rise to reports so injurious to you, is desirous to drop all further proceedings in his original quarrel, and hopes the whole matter will be forgot and forgiven on all sides." "Upon my word, Captain Jekyl," answered Tyrrel, "you lay me under the necessity of acknowledging obligation to you.

You have cut a knot which I should have found it very difficult to unloose; for I frankly confess, that, while I was determined not to remain under the stigma put upon me, I should have had great difficulty in clearing myself, without mentioning circumstances, which, were it only for the sake of my father's memory, should be buried in eternal oblivion.