"
This was too much for Wallingford. At another time, he might have
borne it with a manly self-possession. But only an hour before he
had met Miss Floyd in the street, and the look she then gave him had
stirred his heart, and left a tinge of shadowy regret on his
feelings. He was, therefore, in no mood to bear trifling, much less
insult. Scarcely had the offensive words passed Dewey's lips, when a
blow in the face staggered him back against the wall. Instantly
recovering himself, he sprang towards Wallingford in blind rage, and
struck at him with a savage energy; but the latter stepped aside,
and let his assailant come, with stunning force, against the wall at
the other side of the office, when he fell to the floor.
At this instant, Judge Bigelow came in.
"Henry! Ralph!" he exclaimed--" what is the meaning of this?"
"Your nephew insulted me, and in the heat of anger I struck him in
the face. In attempting to return that blow, he missed his aim, and
fell against the wall, as you see."
Wallingford spoke without excitement, but in a stern, resolute way.
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