uadriga at once--And now I
think of it, what is that old post-chaise from Fairport come jingling
here for?--I did not send for it."

"I did, sir," said Hector, rather sulkily, for he was not much gratified
by his uncle's interference to prevent the Earl's intended generosity,
nor particularly inclined to relish either the disparagement which he
cast upon his skill as a charioteer, or the mortifying allusion to his
bad success in the adventures of the duel and the seal.

"You did, sir?" echoed the Antiquary, in answer to his concise
information. "And pray, what may be your business with a post-chaise?
Is this splendid equipage--this biga, as I may call it--to serve for an
introduction to a quadriga or a curriculum?"

"Really, sir," replied the young soldier, "if it be necessary to give
you such a specific explanation, I am going to Fairport on a little
business."

"Will you permit me to inquire into the nature of that business,
Hector?" answered his uncle, who loved the exercise of a little brief
authority over his relative. "I should suppose any regimental affairs
might be transacted by your worthy deputy the sergeant--an honest
gentleman, who is so good as to make Monkbarns his home since his
arrival among us--I should, I say, suppose that he may transact any
business of yours, without your spending a day's pay on two dog-horses,
and such a combination of rotten wood, cracked glass, and leather--such a
skeleton of a post-chaise, as that before the door."

"It is not regimental business, sir, that calls me; and, since you
insist upon knowing, I must inform you Caxon has brought word this
morning that old Ochiltree, the beggar, is to be brought up for
examination to-day, previous to his being committed for trial; and I'm
going to see that the poor old fellow gets fair play--that's all."

"Ay?--I heard something of this, but could not think it serious. And
pray, Captain Hector, who are so ready to be every man's second on all
occasions of strife, civil or military, by land, by water, or on the
sea-beach, what is your especial concern with old Edie Ochiltree?"

"He was a soldier in my father's company, sir," replied Hector; "and
besides, when I was about to do a very foolish thing one day, he
interfered to prevent me, and gave me almost as much good advice, sir,
as you could have done yourself."

"And with the same good effect, I dare be sworn for it--eh, Hector?--
Come, confess it was thrown away."

"Indeed it