r what
laws are we governed? No case before the court whatever; no primary
deposition, so far as we are furnished; not even a King's writ
issued--and here we have a fine young man dragged from his home and
adoring mother, during the height of agriculture, at his own cost and
charges! I have heard of many grievances; but this the very worst of
all. Nothing short of a Royal Commission could be warranty for it. This
is not only illegal, sir, but most gravely unconstitutional."

"I had not told you, worthy sir," I answered him, in a lower tone, "if I
could have thought that your sense of right would be moved so painfully.
But now I must beg to leave you, sir--for I see that the door again is
open. I beg you, worshipful sir, to accept--"

Upon this he put forth his hand and said, "Nay, nay, my son, not two,
not two:" yet looking away, that he might not scare me.

"To accept, kind sir, my very best thanks, and most respectful
remembrances." And with that, I laid my hand in his. "And if, sir, any
circumstances of business or of pleasure should bring you to our part
of the world, I trust you will not forget that my mother and myself (if
ever I get home again) will do our best to make you comfortable with our
poor hospitality."

With this I was hasting away from him, but he held my hand and looked
round at me. And he spoke without cordiality.

"Young man, a general invitation is no entry for my fee book. I have
spent a good hour of business-time in mastering thy case, and stating
my opinion of it. And being a member of the bar, called six-and-thirty
years agone by the honourable society of the Inner Temple, my fee is
at my own discretion; albeit an honorarium. For the honour of the
profession, and my position in it, I ought to charge thee at least five
guineas, although I would have accepted one, offered with good will
and delicacy. Now I will enter it two, my son, and half a crown for my
clerk's fee."

Saying this, he drew forth from his deep, blue bag, a red book having
clasps to it, and endorsed in gold letters "Fee-book"; and before I
could speak (being frightened so) he had entered on a page of it, "To
consideration of case as stated by John Ridd, and advising thereupon,
two guineas."

"But sir, good sir," I stammered forth, not having two guineas left in
the world, yet grieving to confess it, "I knew not that I was to pay,
learned sir. I never thought of it in that way."

"Wounds of God! In what way thought you t