saluted us in military style, and was soon put in possession of the
case. Wooden-leg Waddy insinuated that there were hardly as yet grounds
for a duel.

"'I differ,' said Major Mug, 'decidedly--the grounds are ample. I never
saw a clearer case in my life, and I have been principal or second in
seven-and-twenty. If I collect your story rightly, Mr Burke, he gave you
an abrupt answer in the field, which was highly derogatory to the lady
in question, and impertinently rude to yourself?'

"'He certainly,' said I, 'gave me what we call a short answer; but I did
not notice it at the time, and he has since made friends with the young
lady.'

"'It matters nothing,' observed Major Mug, 'what you may think, or she
may think. The business is now in _my_ hands, and I must see you through
it. The first thing to be done is to write him a letter. Send out for
paper--let it be gilt-edged, Waddy--that we may do the thing genteelly.
I'll dictate, Mr Burke, if you please.'

"And so he did. As well as I can recollect, the note was as follows:--

"'SPA-WALK, MALLOW, _June 3, 18--_.
"'Eight o'clock in the morning.

"'SIR,--A desire for harmony and peace, which has at all times
actuated my conduct, prevented me, yesterday, from asking you
the meaning of the short and contemptuous message which you
commissioned me to deliver to a certain young lady of our
acquaintance, whose name I do not choose to drag into a
correspondence. But now that there is no danger of its
disturbing any one, I must say that in your desiring me to tell
that young lady she might consider herself as d----d, you were
guilty of conduct highly unbecoming of an officer and a
gentleman, and subversive of the discipline of the hunt. I
have the honour to be, sir, your most obedient humble servant,

"'ROBERT BURKE.

"'P. S.--This note will be delivered to you by my friend, Major
Mug, of the 3d West Indian; and you will, I trust, see the
propriety of referring him to another gentleman without further
delay.'

"'That, I think, is neat,' said the Major. 'Now, seal it with wax, Mr
Burke, with wax--and let the seal be your arms. That's right. Now,
direct it.'

"'Ensign Brady?'

"'No--no--the right thing would be, "Mr Brady, Ensign, 48th foot," but
custom allows "Esquire." That will do.--"Thady Brady, Esq., Ensign, 48t