But I would swear the boy was not so lost to honourable feeling as to
have been Falconer's companion after what had taken place here."
"'Twas no loss of honourable feeling that made him Falconer's
companion!" said I, impulsively.
"Then," cried he, quickly, with eagerness in his voice, "'twas to
fight Falconer?"
"I didn't say that."
"Thank God, then, if he had to die, 'twas not as that man's friend,
but his antagonist! My poor, brave Tom! My noble boy! Oh, would I had
known him better while he lived!"
"He was all that is chivalrous and true, sir."
"I wanted only this assurance. I felt it in my heart. Don't fear my
betraying you; I understand how these affairs have to be managed at
such times. Alas, if I had but known in time to prevent! Well, well,
'tis too late now. But there is one person I must confide this
to--Philip."
"But I haven't told you anything, sir."
"Quite true; and therefore what I shall confide to Philip will not be
of your telling. He will be silent, too. We shall make no disclosures.
Falconer shall receive his punishment in another manner."
"He shall, sir," said I, with a positiveness which, in his feeling of
sorrow, and yet relief, to know that Tom had died as champion of the
family honour, escaped his notice. I thereupon took my leave.
As I afterward came to know, he sent Philip an account of the whole
lamentable affair, from Ned's reappearance to Tom's death; it was
written in a cipher agreed upon between the two, and 'twas carried by
Bill Meadows.
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