st a poor gentleman,
whose estates you are so fortunate as to possess, is not consistent
with your general character, and is, indeed, unworthy of you."

To this Sir Charles Bassett replied:

"DEAR MR. HARDWICK--You have applied some remarks to me which I will
endeavor to forget, as they were written in entire ignorance of the
truth. But if we are to remain friends, I expect you to believe me when
I tell you that Mr. Richard Bassett has never been wronged by me or
mine, but has wronged me and Lady Bassett deeply. He is a dishonorable
scoundrel, not entitled to be received in society; and if, after this
assurance, you receive him, I shall never darken your doors again. So
please let me know your decision.

"I remain

"Yours truly,

"CHARLES DYKE BASSETT."

Mr. Hardwicke chafed under this; but Prudence stepped in. He was one of
the county members, and Sir Charles could command three hundred votes.

He wrote back to say he had received Sir Charles's letter with pain,
but, of course, he could not disbelieve him, and therefore he should
invite Mr. Bassett no more till the matter was cleared.

But Mr. Hardwicke, thus brought to book, was nettled at his own
meanness; so he sent Sir Charles's letter to Mr. Richard Bassett.

Bassett foamed with rage, and wrote a long letter, raving with insults,
to Sir Charles.

He was in the act of directing it when Wheeler called on him. Bassett
showed him Sir Charles's letter. Wheeler read it.

"Now read what I say to him in reply."

Wheeler read Bassett's letter, threw it into the fire, and kept it
there with the poker.

"Lucky I called," said he, dryly. "Saved you a thousand pounds or so.
You must not write a letter without me."

"What, am I to sit still and be insulted? You're a pretty friend."

"I am a wise friend. This is a more serious matter than you seem to
think."

"Libel?"

"Of course. Why, if Sir Charles had consulted _me,_ I could not have
dictated a better letter. It closes every chink a defendant in libel
can creep out by. Now take your pen and write to Mr. Hardwicke."

"DEAR SIR--I have received your letter, containing a libel written by
Sir Charles Bassett. My reply will be public.

"Yours very truly,

"RICHARD BASSETT."

"Is that all?"

"Every syllable. Now mind; you never go to Hardwicke House again; Sir
Charles has got you banished from that house; special damage! There
never was a prettier case for a jury--the rightful heir foul