nuensis, stating that Lady
Lyndon was too much disturbed by grief at her recent dreadful calamity
to see any one but her own relations; and advices from my friend, the
boy's governor, stating that my Lord George Poynings was the young
kinsman who was about to console her.

This caused the quarrel between me and the young nobleman; whom I took
care to challenge on his first arrival at Dublin.

When the news of the duel was brought to the widow at Castle Lyndon, my
informant wrote me that Lady Lyndon shrieked and flung down the journal,
and said, 'The horrible monster! He would not shrink from murder, I
believe;' and little Lord Bullingdon, drawing his sword--the sword I had
given him, the rascal!--declared he would kill with it the man who had
hurt Cousin George. On Mr. Runt telling him that I was the donor of the
weapon, the little rogue still vowed that he would kill me all the same!
Indeed, in spite of my kindness to him, that boy always seemed to detest
me.

Her Ladyship sent up daily couriers to inquire after the health of Lord
George; and, thinking to myself that she would probably be induced to
come to Dublin if she were to hear that he was in danger, I managed to
have her informed that he was in a precarious state; that he grew worse;
that Redmond Barry had fled in consequence: of this flight I caused the
Mercury newspaper to give notice also, but indeed it did not carry me
beyond the town of Bray, where my poor mother dwelt; and where, under
the difficulties of a duel, I might be sure of having a welcome.

Those readers who have the sentiment of filial duty strong in their
mind, will wonder that I have not yet described my interview with that
kind mother whose sacrifices for me in youth had been so considerable,
and for whom a man of my warm and affectionate nature could not but feel
the most enduring and sincere regard.

But a man, moving in the exalted sphere of society in which I now
stood, has his public duties to perform before he consults his private
affections; and so, upon my first arrival, I despatched a messenger
to Mrs. Barry, stating my arrival, conveying to her my sentiments of
respect and duty, and promising to pay them to her personally so soon as
my business in Dublin would leave me free.

This, I need not say, was very considerable. I had my horses to buy, my
establishment to arrange, my entree into the genteel world to make; and,
having announced my intention to purchase horses and live i