ever absurd his general opinions on politics
might be. As for the man's sister, that was all a got up story since
the business. Every one knew that the family had been trying to catch
the young man for the girl; she had been allowed to walk with Captain
Ussher at all hours, night and day; and he was doing no more than
walking with her when he was basely murdered by her brother. As for
him (Jonas Brown), he hoped and trusted the murderer would be hung as
he deserved."

The purport of this piece of after-dinner eloquence was duly conveyed
to Counsellor Webb, who fully appreciated the remarks about the
popularity-hunting gentleman who was dirtying his hands. Up to this
time these two men, though differing so widely from each other, had
still kept up a show of courtesy between them; but Mr. Brown's
remarks altogether put an end to it.

Counsellor Webb never again addressed him in friendly terms.

He did not, however, in the least relax his efforts on Thady's
behalf, or express less strongly his opinion on the case. He told Sir
Michael one morning in Carrick, after some public meeting at which
all the gentry of the neighbourhood had been present, and while many
of them, and among them Mr. Brown, were standing by, that "he had
lately been giving a great deal of very close attention to that very
distressing case of young Mr. Macdermot; he thought it was the most
melancholy and heartrending case he had ever known. It was proved
beyond possibility of doubt that Ussher was eloping with the young
man's sister; it seemed now to be pretty certain that the girl was
herself absolutely senseless at the time the occurrence took place;
he believed she had changed her mind, or got frightened, or what not;
it was now a known fact, that she was being dragged senseless in the
man's arms, when Macdermot attacked him. And was a brother to stand
by and look on at such a sight as that, and not protect his sister,
and punish the miscreant who was endeavouring to dishonour her? Was
Mr. Macdermot to turn his back upon the affair, and leave his sister
to her fate because, forsooth, the man who did it was a Revenue
officer? Let us bring the matter home to ourselves, Sir Michael," he
continued. "Suppose you saw that gay young Captain Jem Boyle hurrying
through the demesne at Knockadrum with one of your own fair flock in
his arms, violently carrying her off, wouldn't you not only knock him
down yourself, if you could catch him; but also set all your