d what, sir?" says George, very quietly, "if you did not
love my grandfather, and my brother, and my mother. You are making her
petticoat a plea for some conduct of yours--you would do what, sir, may
I ask again?"

"I would put you across my knee and whip you, you snarling little puppy,
that's what I would do!" cried the Colonel, who had found breath by this
time, and vented another explosion of fury.

"Because you have known us all our lives, and made our house your own,
that is no reason you should insult either of us!" here cried Harry,
starting up. "What you have said, George Washington, is an insult to me
and my brother alike. You will ask pardon, sir!"

"Pardon?"

"Or give us the reparation that is due to gentlemen," continues Harry.

The stout Colonel's heart smote him to think that he should be at mortal
quarrel or called upon to shed the blood of one of the lads he loved.
As Harry stood facing him, with his fair hair, flushing cheeks, and
quivering voice, an immense tenderness and kindness filled the bosom of
the elder man. "I--I am bewildered," he said. "My words, perhaps, were
very hasty. What has been the meaning of George's behaviour to me for
months back? Only tell me, and, perhaps----"

The evil spirit was awake and victorious in young George Warrington:
his black eyes shot out scorn and hatred at the simple and guileless
gentleman before him. "You are shirking from the question, sir, as you
did from the toast just now," he said. "I am not a boy to suffer under
your arrogance. You have publicly insulted me in a public place, and I
demand a reparation."

"In Heaven's name, be it!" says Mr. Washington, with the deepest grief
in his face.

"And you have insulted me," continues Captain Grace, reeling towards
him. "What was it he said? Confound the militia captain--colonel, what
is he? You've insulted me! Oh, Waring! to think I should be insulted by
a captain of militia!" And tears bedewed the noble Captain's cheek as
this harrowing thought crossed his mind.

"I insult you, you hog!" the Colonel again yelled out, for he was little
affected by humour, and had no disposition to laugh as the others had at
the scene. And, behold, at this minute a fourth adversary was upon him.

"Great Powers, sir!" said Captain Waring, "are three affairs not enough
for you, and must I come into the quarrel, too? You have a quarrel with
these two young gentlemen."

"Hasty words, sir!" cries poor Harry once more.

"Ha