platform, then, without releasing his hand, he shook it cordially.
"Pleased to meet an honourable opponent," he said.
"Same to you, my lud," and there arose a hearty cheer with no venom in it, succeeded by quick silence, all eyes intent on the stage. The pugilist threw off coat and waistcoat, and displayed himself in a woollen shirt, a leathern belt, and trousers.
"Going to strip, my lud?"
"No."
"Are you ready?"
"Yes."
Stranleigh got in the first blow, and, quickly following it, the second. The other shook his head, as if a fly tormented him. Again his lordship tried to get in two strokes, but they were warded off. His opponent was measuring him.
Stranleigh had often met and defeated brute strength, but now he realised that planted so sturdily before him was brute strength augmented by great skill. Nevertheless, he delivered a terrible blow above the heart that caused his opponent to gasp and give ground.
The young earl followed up his advantage with a relaxation of his customary caution, expecting
