CHAPTER XXIII.
THE ADMIRAL’S ADVICE TO CHARLES HOLLAND.—THE CHALLENGE TO THE VAMPYRE.
When Charles Holland got his uncle into a room by themselves, he said,—
“Uncle, you are a seaman, and accustomed to decide upon matters of honour. I look upon myself as having been most grievously insulted by this Sir Francis Varney. All accounts agree in representing him as a gentleman. He goes openly by a title, which, if it were not his, could easily be contradicted; therefore, on the score of position in life, there is no fault to find with him. What would you do if you were insulted by a gentleman?”
The old admiral’s eyes sparkled, and he looked comically in the face of Charles, as he said,—
“I know now where you are steering.”
“What would you do, uncle?”
“Fight him!”
“I knew you would say so
