sides unexpected. They started at the first view of one another, and interchanged glances which, could they have been concentrated, like the sun's summer rays, through some moral burning-glass, might be supposed, without much metaphorical licence, capable of darting, from each to each, a stroke of withering power. Yet these frowning regards were differently characterised. Talbot's expressed steady, profound hatred, and haughty resolution; that of his abhorred enemy, as the colour went and came on his cheeks, was more flashing, more blazing, and, it might be inferred, more eager for, if possible, instantaneous annihilation of its object.

Captain Whaley greeted cordially his young and loyal brother in arms. Mr. Rourke turned from the window during their mutual salutations, again joining his friends.

"Remember your pledge to me," whispered Sir Thomas to his agitated son-in-law elect,— for he had closely watched the effect produced on him by Talbot's sudden entrance, and justly feared a coming explosion.

Sir William, still following Talbot with a burning, devoting glare, although that person was now constrainedly speaking to Captain

Whaley, started at the hint, stant, smiled faintly, and then acquiescence.

Talbot began the dialogue.

paused an in- · bowed low in

"You see, Sir Thomas," he said coolly and sternly, "I have complied with your summons, however abrupt it may have been.”

"I thank you for your prompt attendance, Sir," replied the Baronet; " and if the summons was abrupt, so has been the circumstance that made it necessary."

"Well, I grant you as much."

"This, then, is my accuser ?" questioned Sir William.

"I am he who charged you with the base intent of deceiving into a mock marriage, while your real wife yet lives, an honourable and spotless lady," answered Talbot.

"Slanderer and liar!" began Sir William ; but the voices of Sir Thomas and Captain Whaley together, interrupted him.

"Be d-d, gentlemen! what's all this? Bad business, by --! eh, Saunders ?-Croppyism at the bottom of it-I'll go bail: eh?"

"Sir William," remonstrated the old Baronet, "I have your solemn pledge to act with

temper, dignity, and forbearance; but the words you have spoken do not observe that pledge."

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""Tis better they do not," said Talbot; they are something to remember."

"Do not forget them, then," rejoined his rival.

"You shall judge," answered Talbot.

"Come, gentlemen," continued Sir Thomas, "this is idle. Neither of you,-not even he who stands at my side, as my recent domestic friend, has a claim, a right, to set the issue of our present investigation upon a brawling quarrel. The heiress of Hartley Court is not to be the prize of even a successful gladiator; or, if any one amongst us is entitled to advocate her, I alone am that person. I deny, in Miss Hartley's name, and my own, that, even after some peculiar occurrences, there lives a man, except her father, yet competent to enjoy the honour of being her champion. So patience, Sir William Judkin."

In much humility, and some alarm, the rebuked lover again bowed low. Sir Thomas proceeded briefly to state to the magistrate the nature and particulars of the investigation over which he was called to preside. Scarce

had he made an end of speaking, when Captain Whaley broke out—

"What, eh? Captain Talbot says that Sir William is a married man already!-eh? yes; and Sir William denies the fact !-eh? yes, again: then be d-d! there's one sting for another, and nothing else, as yet,—eh, Saunders ?"

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Captain Whaley puts the matter just as it stands," remarked Sir Thomas; "and proof of the assertion now becomes necessary."

"Sir Thomas Hartley," said Talbot, “ give me a fair hearing. Make some allowances for me, when you hear my statement. In a rash moment, I prematurely made the disclosure. I should have paused, and it was my determination to have paused, in order to gain time for taking steps necessary to its fit and seasonable consideration by you and by the world. Allow me to regret, for the present, my intemperate precipitancy; and, before our inquiry proceeds farther, afford me the time for preparation, which but that agitation, of a kind not unknown to you, threw me off my guard—I had resolved to afford myself, ere we conversed together on the subject."

While Sir William began to brighten up

with anticipated triumph, the person thus appealed to, said—

"Very strange, Mr. Talbot; may I inquire what are the steps to be taken, of which you speak ?"

"I answer plainly. As yet, I command no real proofs of the charge, and-"

"Ah!" half screamed Sir William.

"And they cannot be procured, without exertion, time, and trouble."

"Still very strange, Sir; making all the allowances I can for you, still very strange, I say. But," continued the Baronet, following up his own first view of the matter, "your charge, we must conclude, though incautiously made in the absence of real, circumstantial proof, has been made upon the word of some person you believed you could credit ?"

"A trust-worthy person, of course ?”

"I fear not; yet one who, it seems to me, could have had no earthly reason for slandering Sir William Judkin."

"This is still little better, Sir," resumed Sir Thomas ;-satisfied, however, with the exact squaring, so far, of the facts of the case with his previous judgment;—" your informant, to