heart of grace, and laid siege to us in all form.
My grandfather, Phil,--for I was called after him,--who always spent his
money like a gentleman, had no notion of figuring in the Four Courts;
but he sent Tom Darcy, his cousin, up to town, to call out as many of
the plaintiffs as would fight, and to threaten the remainder that, if
they did not withdraw their suits, they'd have more need of the surgeon
than the attorney-general; for they shouldn't have a whole bone in their
body by Michaelmas-day. Another cutlet, Hinton? But I am tiring you with
all these family matters."

"Not at all; go on, I beg of you. I want to hear how your grandfather
got out of his difficulties."

"Faith, I wish you could! it would be equally pleasant news to myself;
but, unfortunately, his beautiful plan only made bad worse, for they
began fresh actions. Some, for provocation to fight a duel; others,
for threats of assault and battery; and the short of it was, as my
grandfather wouldn't enter a defence, they obtained their verdicts, and
got judgment, with all the costs."

"The devil they did! That must have pushed him hard."

"So it did; indeed it got the better of his temper, and he that was
one of the heartiest, pleasantest fellows in the province, became, in
a manner, morose and silent; and, instead of surrendering possession,
peaceably and quietly, he went down to the gate, and took a sitting shot
at the sub-sheriff, who was there in a tax-cart."

"Bless my soul! Did he kill him?"

"No; he only ruffled his feathers, and broke his thigh; but it was bad
enough, for he had to go over to France till it blew over. Well, it was
either vexation or the climate, or, maybe, the weak wines, or, perhaps,
all three, undermined his constitution, but he died at eighty-four--the
only one of the family ever cut off early, except such as were shot, or
the like."

"Well, but your father--"

"I am coming to him. My grandfather sent for him from school when he
was dying, and he made him swear he would be a lawyer. 'Morris will be a
thorn in their flesh, yet,' said he; 'and look to it, my boy,' he cried,
'I leave you a Chancery suit that has nearly broke eight families and
the hearts of two chancellors;--see that you keep it goings--sell
every stick on the estate--put all the beggars in the barony on the
property--beg, borrow, and steal them--plough up all the grazing-land;
and I'll tell you a better trick than all----' Here a fit of coughing
interrupte