Perhaps he and Mrs. Portman and Miss Myra, as they sate with
their friend, the Dean's lady, in her drawing-room, looked up more than
once at the enemy's window to see if they could perceive any signs of the
combat.
The Major walked round, according to the directions given him, and soon
found Mrs. Creed's little door. He passed it, and as he ascended to
Captain Costigan's apartment, he could hear a stamping of feet, and a
great shouting of "Ha, ha!" within.
"It's Sir Derby Oaks taking his fencing lesson," said the child, who
piloted Major Pendennis. "He takes it Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays."
The Major knocked, and at length a tall gentleman came forth, with a foil
and mask in one hand, and a fencing glove on the other.
Pendennis made him a deferential bow. "I believe I have the honour of
speaking to Captain Costigan--My name is Major Pendennis."
The Captain brought his weapon up to the salute, and said, "Major, the
honer is moine; I'm deloighted to see ye."
CHAPTER XI
Negotiation
The Major and Captain Costigan were old soldiers and accustomed to face
the enemy, so we may presume that they retained their presence of mind
perfectly; but the rest of the party assembled in Cos's sitting-room
were, perhaps, a little flurried at Pendennis's apparition.
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