irregular passions, are essentially vulgar, mean, and cowardly. Our
baronet was, beyond question, a striking proof of this truth. Had
he possessed either dignity, or one spark of gentlemanly feeling, or
self-respect, he would not have degraded himself from what ought to
have been expected from a man in his position, by his violence to the
worthless wretch, Crackenfudge, who was slight, comparatively feeble,
and by no means a match for him in a personal contest. The only apology
that can be offered for him is, that it is probable he was scarcely
conscious, in the whirlwind and tempest of his passions, that he allowed
himself to act such a base and unmanly part to a person who had not
willingly offended him, and who was entitled, whilst under his roof, to
forbearance, if not protection, even in virtue of the communication he
had made.

After sleeping about an hour, he arose considerably refreshed in body;
but the agony of mind, although diminished in its strength by its own
previous paroxysms, was still intense and bitter. He got up, surveyed
himself once more in the glass, adjusted his dress, and helped himself
to a glass or two of Madeira, which was his usual specific after these
internal conflicts.

This day, however, was destined to be one of trial to him, although
by no means his last; neither was it ordained to bring forth the final
ordeals that awaited him. He had scarcely time to reflect upon the
measures which, under the present circumstances, he ought to pursue,
although he certainly was engaged in considering the matter, when Gibson
once more entered to let him know that a gentleman requested the favor
of a short interview.

"What gentleman? Who is he? I'm not in a frame of mind to see any
stranger--I mean, Gibson, that I'm not well."

"Sorry, to hear it, sir; shall I tell the gentleman you can't see him?"

"Yes--no--stay; do you know who he is?"

"He is the gentleman, sir, who has been stopping for some time at the
Mitre."

"What!" exclaimed the baronet, bouncing to his feet.

"Yes, sir."

If some notorious felon, red with half-a-dozen murders, and who, having
broken jail, left an empty noose in the hands of the hangman, had taken
it into his head to return and offer himself up for instant execution
to the aforesaid hangman, and eke to the sheriff, we assert that neither
sheriff nor hangman, nor hangman nor sheriff, arrange them as you may,
could feel a thousandth part of the astonishment which seiz