All Chapters of DELICIA - DELIGHT - : Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

The betrothal was announced in the columns of the Morning Post, and it's most immediate effect was to bring Admiral Tellaro to Spear Street with a copy of the paper under his arm, and an expression of strong indignation on his face. He wasted no time in civilities, and not even the presence of Mrs Andromeda had the power to prevent him from making known his mind. He demanded to know what they were all about to let Patrick make such wretched work of his future. "Miss Vivian Mamala!" he said. "Who is Miss Vivian Mamala? I thought it had not been possible when I read it. 'Depend upon it', I said - for Bartholomew was with me, 'depends upon it, it is all a damn hum! The lad will not be throwing himself away on the first pretty face he sees'. But you don't speak, you say nothing! Is it true then?"Miss Tellaro begged him to be seated. "Yes, sir, it is quite true". The admiral muttered something under his breathe that sounded like an oath, and crumpling up the paper threw

Miss Tellaro was gazing at a milliner's window on the opposite side of the road, apparently rapt in admiration of a yellow satin bonnet embossed with orange leopard-spots, and bound with a green figured ribbon, but at Mrs Andromeda's next words she turned her head and unwillingly paid attention to what was being said. "I am excessively glad to have fallen in with you, Gabriel", Mrs Andromeda declared. "I have been wanting to ask you these three days what you were about to let Parte tie himself up in this fashion. Not that I have a word to say against Miss Mamala, I am sure she is perfectly amiable, a delightful girl! But you know he might do much better for himself. How came you to be giving your consent so readily?"He said lazily, "I must have been in an uncommonly good temper, I suppose. Don't you like the match?""It is respectable, but not brilliant, and I must say, Clements, I think Parte much too young". He made no reply. Miss Tellaro raised he

"Well, you'd better be thinking of a new one then, for our fights coming on now", retorted Patrick. "Pooh, your bird don't stand a chance!" scoffed Ferdinand. The setters-on had the cocks in the arena by this time, and Mr Fritzwa, critically looking them over, declared there to be very little to choose between them. They were well matched; their heads a full scarlet; tails, manes, and wings nicely clipped; and spurs very long and sharp, hooking well inwards. "If anything I like Tellaro's bed the better of the two", pronounced Mr Fritzwa. "He looks devilish upright, and I fancy he's the largest in girth. But there ain't much in it". The birds did not ogle each other for long. They closed almost at once, and there was some slashing work which made the feathers fly. The brass-back was floored, but came up again, and toed the scratch. Both birds knew how to hold, and their tactics were cunning enough to rouse the enthusiasm of the crowd. The betting was

"Yes, I flatter myself it's uncommonly handsome", replied Patrick. He moistened his lips. "Fitz, I have suddenly remembered - do you know, I believe I have no dueling pistols by me?" "Leave that to me, I'll see to it", said Mr Fritzwa, getting up. "I'm going now. I'll call for you at a quarter-past seven tomorrow". Patrick smiled jauntily. "I shall be ready. Don't over sleep!" "Never fear!" said Mr Fritzwa. He let himself out of Patrick's bedroom and descended the stairs to the hall. Here he rather unfortunately met Miss Tellaro, who was dressed for the street, and had just come out of the breakfast parlor. She looked a little surprised to see him so early in the morning, and glanced laughingly at the clock. "How do you do? Forgive me, but I did not think you were ever abroad until midday! As for Parte, he is a sad case. Did you find him in his bed?" "No, no, he is up", Mr Fritzwa assured her. "I had a little business

Patrick lifted one from its bed, weighed it in his hand, and tested the pull. Then he laid it down again and shut the case. "Nicely balanced", he remarked. "Yes, there are a first rate pair", agreed Mr Fritzwa. "Hair trigger, of course. It'll go off at a touch". The coach stopped in Great Almond Street to pick up the doctor, who came out of his house almost as soon as the horses pulled up, and jumped nimbly into the coach. He had a black case under his arm, which Patrick knew must contain the instruments of his profession. Oddly enough, the sight of it affected him more unpleasantly than the case of pistols had done. "You are in good time, gentlemen", said the doctor, ribbing his hand together. "It is a cold morning, is it not?" "Cold enough", said Mr Fritzwa. "But it won't be long before we are all of us drinking hot coffee in a place I know of hard by the Green". "Myself, I never touch coffee", said the doctor. "I hold it to b