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234 gratitude: will you permit me to ask you on what account?" "This is past bearing," interrupted Kingston; "will you, sir, leave the room?" "Not, sir, till you tell me when you will give me satisfaction for having made me the tool of your heartless designs." Sir George burst into a loud fit of contemptuous laughter. "Why, do you mean that for a challenge? Really it is too good your supposing that I should meet you. I thank you; but, really must beg to decline the honour." "You dare not," replied Walter; "you would shrink from the shame of refusing to meet me!" "The shame of refusing to meet you!—from the shame of meeting an equal I might," said Kingston, tauntingly; "but it is absurd to be challenged by my hired servant—a low-born nobody!" Walter set his teeth. "You know that I am as much a gentleman as yourself!" "In your own opinion," sneered the other.