here, and leave her for ever, if the unnatural union took
place.

George advocated another way of stopping it, and explained his plan to
his admiring brother. "Our mother," he said, "can't marry a man with
whom one or both of us has been out on the field, and who has wounded us
or killed us, or whom we have wounded or killed. We must have him out,
Harry."

Harry saw the profound truth conveyed in George's statement, and admired
his brother's immense sagacity. "No, George," says he, "you are right.
Mother can't marry our murderer; she won't be as bad as that. And if we
pink him he is done for. 'Cadit quaestio,' as Mr. Dempster used to say.
Shall I send my boy with a challenge to Colonel George now?"

"My dear Harry," the elder replied, thinking with some complacency of
his affair of honour at Quebec, "you are not accustomed to affairs of
this sort."

"No," owned Harry, with a sigh, looking with envy and admiration on his
senior.

"We can't insult a gentleman in our own house," continued George, with
great majesty; "the laws of honour forbid such inhospitable treatment.
But, sir, we can ride out with him, and, as soon as the park gates are
closed, we can tell him our mind."

"That we can, by George!" cries Harry, grasping his brother's hand, "and
that we will, too. I say, Georgy..." Here the lad's face became very
red, and his brother asked him what he would say?

"This is my turn, brother," Harry pleaded. "If you go the campaign, I
ought to have the other affair. Indeed, indeed, I ought." And he prayed
for this bit of promotion.

"Again the head of the house must take the lead, my dear," George said,
with a superb air. "If I fall, my Harry will avenge me. But I must fight
George Washington, Hal: and 'tis best I should; for, indeed, I hate him
the worst. Was it not he who counselled my mother to order that wretch,
Ward, to lay hands on me?"

"Ah, George," interposed the more pacable younger brother, "you ought to
forget and forgive."

"Forgive? Never, sir, as long as I remember. You can't order remembrance
out of a man's mind; and a wrong that was a wrong yesterday must be a
wrong to-morrow. I never, of my knowledge, did one to any man, and I
never will suffer one, if I can help it. I think very ill of Mr. Ward,
but I don't think so badly of him as to suppose he will ever forgive
thee that blow with the ruler. Colonel Washington is our enemy, mine
especially. He has advised one wrong against me, and he medita