The mysterious nature of the commencement oftheir conversation was explained; Mr. Dowler had as great an objectionto duelling as himself; in short, this blustering and awful personagewas one of the most egregious cowards in existence, and interpreting Mr.Winkle's absence through the medium of his own fears, had taken the samestep as himself, and prudently retired until all excitement of feelingshould have subsided.