nd a civil assurance that he 'd not fail to
complete his visit at some more fortunate opportunity. I turned at once
to seek out Curtis, and learn his version of the affair; but he and
Ffrench had already taken their departure, this brief note being all
their leave-taking:--

"Dear Watty,--In your father's, and indeed in your
grandfather's, day one was pretty sure what company might be
met with under your roof. I 'm sorry to see times are
changed, and deeply deplore that your circumstances make it
necessary for you to fill your house with Government hacks,
spies, and informers. Take my word for it, honest men and
their wives won't like such associates; and though they
sneer now at the Grinder's daughter, she 'll be the best of
your company ere long.

"My compliments to his Grace, and say I hope he 'll not
forget that I have promised him some shooting.

"Yours truly,

"M. Curtis.

"A line from Ffrench followed:--

"D. W.,--As I came with Curtis, I must go with him; but I
hope soon to see you, and explain some things which I grieve
to defer even for a short time.

"Now, Dan, I ask you, is this courteous,--is it even fair and manly?
They see me endeavoring to bring men together socially who, whatever
their political differences, might yet learn to know and esteem each
other in private. They comprehend all the difficulty imposed by my
wife's extreme youth and inexperience; and this is the aid they give
me! But I know well what it means! The whole thing is part and parcel
of that tyranny that a certain set of fellows have exercised over this
country for the last century. A blind, misguided, indiscriminate hatred
of England and of Englishmen is their only notion of a policy, and
they'd stop short at nothing in their stupid animosity. They've mistaken
their man, however, this time. Egad! they ought to have tried some other
game before they ventured to bully me. In their blind ignorance, they
fancied that because I entertained a Viceroy, I must necessarily be
a Castle hack. Faith, if I become so yet, they 've only themselves to
thank for it. As it is, I had no sooner read that note than I hastened
downstairs to seek the Duke, and just overtook him in the shrubbery. I
told him frankly the indignation I felt at a dictation which I suffered
no man to assume towards me. I said more,--I assured him that no sneers
of party, nor any intimidation of a set, should ever prevent me giving
the Gove