whom I myself learned these details that so
diabolical was the hatred that held possession of him that he sat
down in the grass beside the body, and contemplated it with a kind of
fiend-like exultation. A light, thin rain began to fall soon after, and
my father, moved by some instinctive feeling, threw Rutledge's cloak
over the lifeless body, and then withdrew. Although the pain of his own
wound was considerable, he soon perceived that no vital part had been
injured,--indeed, the weapon had passed through the muscles without ever
having penetrated the cavity of the chest. He succeeded, by binding his
handkerchief around his waist, in stanching the blood; and, although
weakened, the terrible excitement of the event seemed to lend him a
momentary strength for further exertion.

His first impulse, as he found himself outside the Green, was to deliver
himself up to the authorities, making a full avowal of all that had
occurred. To do this, however, would involve other consequences which
he had not the courage to confront. Any narrative of the duel would
necessarily require a history of the provocation, and thus a wider
publicity to that shame which was now embittering his existence.

Without ultimately deciding what course he should adopt, my father
determined to give himself further time for reflection, by at once
hastening back to the country ere his presence in the capital was known.
He now returned to the hotel, and, asking for his bill, informed the
waiter that if any one inquired for Mr. Cuthbert, that he should mention
his address at a certain number in Aungier Street. The carman who drove
him from the door was directed to drive to the same place, and there
dismissed. After this, taking his carpet-bag in his hand, he walked
leisurely along towards Ball's Bridge, where already, as the day was
breaking, a number of vehicles were assembled on the stand. Affecting
a wish to catch the packet for England, he drove hastily to the Pigeon
House; but the vessel had already sailed. It was strange enough that
he never was able to say actually whether he meditated passing over to
England, or simply to conceal the line of his flight. Thus uncertain
whither to go or what to do, a considerable time was passed; and he was
on the point of engaging a boat to cross over to Howth, when a sudden
thought struck him that he would drive direct to Fagan's, in Mary's
Abbey.

It was about six o'clock of a bright summer's morning as my father