the immediate termination of this affair."

"I shall be proud to see the Major; but still let me hope, Mr. Webb,
that this little affair may be arranged. As a magistrate, and as a
man, I may say, not exactly in your _premiere jeunesse_--"

"As a magistrate, and as a man not exactly, as you say, in my
_premiere jeunesse_, for I was fifty yesterday, let me assure you
that if Mr. Brown intends to call me out, I shall go out. If he
intends to let me alone, I shall be better pleased to be let alone;
as for a word, or a line of retractation or apology, I will not give
it."

"But, Mr. Webb--"

"Forgive me for interrupting you, but allow me to suggest that any
further remarks you may have to make on the subject had better be
made to my friend, Major Macdonnel."

"Would you allow me to put it to you in another light? Suppose now--"

"Major Longsword, the idea of being uncourteous to any man in my own
house is particularly grievous to me; but with your pardon I must
say that I cannot continue this conversation with you. If you will
allow me the honour of considering the remainder of your visit one
of compliment, I shall be proud to increase my acquaintance with a
gentleman for whom I entertain so profound a respect."

The baffled Major was obliged to take the hint, to move himself off,
and have recourse to his brother major. Major Macdonnel received his
visitor with a very long face, assured him that his principal had
left him nothing to do but to arrange the meeting, and that however
willing he might be to agree to pacific measures himself, he had
no power to do so. The Boyle Major, however, found a more willing
listener in his colleague than in the Counsellor, and made many
eloquent dissertations; but it was all to no purpose; he was obliged
to return to Brown Hall, signally defeated as he felt himself, and
with the tidings that a place had been agreed to, and that the
meeting was to take place at eight, A.M., the next morning.

"I had really hoped, Mr. Brown, to have been able to settle this
little matter amicably; indeed I had no doubt about it; but I must
say a more impracticable gentleman to deal with than Mr. Webb, it was
never my lot to meet upon such an occasion."

The Major dined at Brown Hall, and could not but admire the
solicitude which the two sons expressed for their father's safety,
and the filial manner in which they comforted him. During dinner
he was somewhat silent and moody; but when he got to hi