comes of your drinking brandy so early in the day. The
moment you were moved into the chair--and, by the way, I suspect
M'Bullet had a mischievous design in it--I did everything in my power,
that man could do, to prevent you from taking' it."

It's a d----d bounce, M'Clutchy, you did no such thing, I tell you. D--n
you altogether, I say! I would rather the devil had the whole troop, as
he will too, with Captain M'Clutchy at the head of them--"

"Don't get into insubordination, my hero," said his father; "why do you
put me over Lord Cumber's head?"

"Ay," replied the son, "when sending you-to Headquarters, you mean; yes,
my old knave, and when he and you and the whole kit of you get there,
you'll know then what permanent duty means. That scoundrel Hartley will
be sending a challenge to me."

"Make your mind easy, Phil," replied his virtuous father, "there is not
the slightest danger of that; here's his reply to Armstrong, which Dick
himself handed me in Castle Cumber, a while ago. Read that and let it
console you."

Phil accordingly read Hartley's letter, in which both he and his father
were mentioned with such marked respect; and never did reprieve come
to a shivering, inanimate, and hopeless felon with the hangman's noose
neatly settled under his left ear, with a greater sense of relief than
did this communication to him. In fact, he had reached that meanness and
utter degradation of soul which absolutely feels comfort, and is glad to
take refuge, in the very contempt of an enemy.

"I hope you're satisfied," said his father.

"All right, my old fellow--all right, Captain M'Clutchy, Magistrate and
Grand-juror. Damn my honor, but you're a fine old cock, Val--and now
I have spirits to take a glass of brandy, which I hadn't this whole
morning before."

"Phil," said the father, "how do you think I can ever get you appointed
to the magistracy if you take to drink?"

"Drink! why, blood, my old boy, is it this to me! Do you mean to tell me
that there are no drunken magistrates on the bench? Drink! why, man, let
me drink, swear, and play the devil among the ladies, surely you know
that my thorough Protestantism and loyalty will make up for, and redeem
all. Hey, then, for the glass of brandy, in which I'll drink your
health, and hang me, I'll not abuse you again--unless when you deserve
it, ha, ha, ha!"

"At all events," said Val, "keep yourself steady for this day; this is
the day, Phil, on which I will glut my lon