"
"I believe thou wouldst not, mine Audacity," said the knight, resuming
the affected manner which was become a second nature to him;
"nevertheless this fosse is curiously well shaped, and might be the
masterpiece of Nature's last bed-maker, I would say the
sexton--Wherefore, let us be thankful to chance or some unknown
friend, who hath thus provided for one of us the decencies of
sepulture, and let us proceed to determine which shall have the
advantage of enjoying this place of undisturbed slumber."
So saying, he stripped off his doublet and cloak, which he folded up
with great care, and deposited upon a large stone, while Halbert
Glendinning, not without some emotion, followed his example. Their
vicinity to the favourite haunt of the White Lady led him to form
conjectures concerning the incident of the grave--"It must have been
her work!" he thought: "the Spirit foresaw and has provided for the
fatal event of the combat--I must return from this place a homicide,
or I must remain here for ever!"
The bridge seemed now broken down behind him, and the chance of coming
off honourably without killing or being killed, (the hope of which
issue has cheered the sinking heart of many a duellist,) seemed now
altogether to be removed. Yet the very desperation of his situation
gave him, on an instant's reflection, both firmness and courage, and
presented to him one sole alternative, conquest, namely, or death.
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