Lucy's character. If I am talking to Captain Frampton, I beg to assure you, that I have taken no liberties with your name that were unwarrantable, since I have not uttered a syllable concerning you that was not strictly true."

"And pray, Sir, may I ask the exact import of the truths that you have thought proper to couple with my name."

66

"I cannot recollect the precise phrases I may have used, but their substance amounts to this-that the decoyer of Lucy from her home, under the pretext of marriage, but with the real object of seducing her, was an unprincipled liar."

66

Damnation, Sir! have you the insolence to apply these terms to me, and before my face, too ?"

"As I confess that I have applied them to you behind your back, I think it but right to repeat them before your face."

66

Very well, Sir, very well. I presume you will give me satisfaction for this insulting language."

"I really know not what satisfaction I can afford you, farther than by assuring you, that

I would not have employed such terms, unless I conscientiously believed every word to be true. I would not wantonly offend any man, however he may merit my contempt; but there is no man whom I would not rather offend than violate truth."

66

Enough, Sir, quite enough; you shall hear from me."

"I had much rather not, for there can be little pleasure in communicating with a person of your character, and as I find still less in your conversation, you must allow me to wish you a good morning." So saying, Henry made a slight inclination of his head, walked slowly away, and taking a book from his pocket, began to read it as he proceeded.

"Curse me, if this Yankee is not the most consummately impudent young dog I ever encountered!" exclaimed Lord Mossdale. "Cool

as a cucumber, too, the whole time. Who is he? What is he? Is the fellow fightable?"

"I understand him to be related in some way, though I don't know how, to the late Captain Tenby, of the navy."

"Who, to my knowledge, was a gentleman, and a man of good family. Then this young chap is decidedly shootable, and you must call him out."

"That I shall do instantly, be he who he may," cried the Captain, piqued and incensed to the very last degree, not only by the pointed insult he had received in the presence of his friend, but by the cool and aggravating audacity with which Henry had comported himself. He was infinitely too much irritated to pursue his intended sport; instead, therefore, of proceeding to shoot pheasants, he returned immediately to Oakham-hall to concert measures for shooting Henry Melcomb.

CHAPTER II.

Such duty as the subject owes a prince,
Even such a woman oweth to her husband;
And when she's froward, peevish, sullen, sour,
And not obedient to his honest will,
What is she but a foul contending rebel,
And graceless traitor to her loving lord?

Taming of the Shrew.

PEOPLE are generally irritated at any disparaging terms that may be applied to them in exact proportion to their truth, a circumstance which will explain the rage of Captain Frampton, notwithstanding the general indolence and apathy of his character. On his arrival at Oakham-hall, he sat down, and wrote a challenge in due form, of which Lord Mossdale, who was scarcely less incensed than his friend at the cool

impudence, as he termed it, of the Yankee, volunteered to be the bearer, in order that he might personally assist in making such preliminary arrangements as might be required. Henry, not having found Miss Welbeck at home, had returned to Grotto-house, when his Lordship having requested a private interview, placed the letter in his hand, with no other previous observation than that it came from Captain Frampton. Henry, after having perused it, inquired whether his Lordship would have the goodness to take back the answer, which he would write immediately in his own room; observing, that if he were a geologist, he would not lack amusement for a few minutes, as there were abundant specimens of minerals and fossils dispersed about the parlour. His Lordship bowed coldly, for although the manner in which he had been addressed was perfectly courteous, he thought it rather cavalier treatment that a man of his station should be left kicking his heels in a strange house, and be requested by a Yankee to become his lettercarrier. Henry, however, who, though he meant not to give the least unnecessary offence, respected nothing but moral rank, and honoured no