as for preventing him after that, if I had attempted it,
he'd have had me in fragments long ago. When he's not opposed, sir, or
crossed, he's quiet as a lamb, and wouldn't hurt a child; but, if he's
vexed, and won't get his own way, why ten men wouldn't stand him."

"Take care that he shall never be admitted here again," said his master;
"I really am quite disturbed and nervous by his conduct and language,
which are perfectly unintelligible. Indeed I am absolutely unwell--the
shock was awful, and to occur on such a day, too--I fear my appetite
will be very much affected by it--a circumstance which would be
distressing beyond belief. Stop--perhaps it is not yet too late--ask
Francis is the venison down, and, if not, desire him not to dress it
to-day--I am out of appetite, say."

John went, and in a couple of minutes returned, "Francis says it's
down, sir, for some time," replied the man, "and that it must be dressed
to-day, otherwise it will be spoiled."

"And this is owing to you, you scoundrel," said his master in a
rage, "owing to your neglect and carlessness--but there is no placing
dependence upon one of you. See, you rascal, the position in which I
am--here is a delicious haunch of venison for dinner, and now I am so
much agitated and out of order that my appetite will be quite gone, and
it will be eaten by others before my face, while I cannot touch it. For
a very trifle I would this moment discharge you from my service, and
without a character too."

"I am very sorry, sir, but the truth--"

"Begone, you scoundrel, and leave the room, or I shall use the
horse-whip to you."

John disappeared, and this great and zealous prop of Protestantism
walked to and fro his study, almost gnashing his teeth from the
apprehension of not having an appetite for the haunch of venison.

CHAPTER XIII.--Darby's Brief Retirement from Public Life.

--A Controversial Discussion, together with the Virtues it Produced

Our readers may recollect that Darby in his pleasant dialogue with
Father M'Cabe, alluded to a man named Bob Beatty, as a person afflicted
with epilepsy. It was then reported that the priest had miraculously
cured him of that complaint; but, whether he had or not, one thing, at
least, was certain, that he became a Roman Catholic, and went regularly
to mass. He had been, in fact, exceedingly notorious for his violence as
an Orangeman, and was what the people then termed a blood-hound, and the
son of a man wh