Duncan and Henry are about to have a duel. Ashley is there to oversee and comment on the proceedings. Duncan is a novice and is terribly afraid. Henry is a notorious dueler who has never lost a duel and often killed his opponent. What's worse is that Duncan and Henry are best friends. But Henry is dying of consumption and wishes to do one good deed with the last of the life he has left. He intends to lose the duel and pass his notorious reputation on to his good but meek friend, Duncan.