otwithstanding the large rewards that were
subscribed by the gentry of the county and by government. Phil was too
drunk the evening before to remember anything distinctly. His pistols
were never found, nor was any other discovery made which could fasten
even suspicion on any particular individual.

If Phil, however, were drunk the night before his father's death, he was
sober enough the night after it. On that night there was not a hill
head on all the Castle Cumber estate which had not its bonfire and
its rejoicing--for the re-appointment of Mr. Hickman to the agency. It
might, however, be observed in-general--and it is frightful to be
forced to record such a surfeit of things--that the tenantry, one and
all appeared to feel a singular complacency of temper on the occasion--a
strong sense as it were, of great relief--a revival of good spirits--a
cherishing of rational hope--associated with dreams of domestic comfort,
reasonable indulgence, sympathy, and common justice.

[Illustration: PAGE 355-- Such was the end of Valentine M'Clutchy]

Such was the end of Valentine M'Clutchy--and as we have only one other
fact in connection with him to record, we may as well record it here. On
the morning after his death, his mother, Kate Clank, was found dead on
the steps of Castle Cumber gaol, whither, it would seem, she had come,
as if from a principle of early recollection, to the spot where she had
first drawn her breath in innocence; and who can tell, or will any one
dare to say, that she died in guilt, or unforgiven? That is only known
to God, by whom she was to be judged.

CHAPTER XXXI.--Richard Topertoe and his Brother

--Lord Cumber's Duel--Shot by Hartley--Dies in the Vindication of a
tyrannical Principle--Marriage of Harman and Mary O'Loughlin--Solomon
struck off the roll--Handsome Compliment to the Judge--Solomon's
Death--Dances the Swaggering Jig--Lucre's Virtues and Christian Death.

The Honorable Richard Alexander Topertoe, for he was sometimes called
the one and sometimes the other, but most frequently Richard, had been
for several years on the continent, where he found it more economical
to reside than at home. A circumstance connected with a gambling debt of
his brother's; communicated by a friend, brought him suddenly to London,
where he arrived in time to save his brother's reputation and fortune,
and most probably his life, for Lord Cumber, be it known, was very
nearly what is termed a professed duel