after that event, to your character. I knew
neither good nor ill of you. I came to tell you all this, because, as
Eliza's uncle, you had a right to the information."

"So! you come to tell me that she burnt the will, and is going to
administer--to what, I beseech you? To her father's property? Ay, I
warrant you. But take this along with you:--that property is mine; land,
house, stock, every thing. All is safe and snug under cover of a
mortgage, to which Billy was kind enough to add a bond. One was sued,
and the other _entered up_, a week ago. So that all is safe under my
thumb, and the girl may whistle or starve for me. I shall give myself no
concern about the strumpet. You thought to get a prize; but, damn me,
you've met with your match in me. Phil Haddin's not so easily choused, I
promise you. I intended to give you this news, and a drubbing into the
bargain; but you may go, and make haste. She burnt the will, did she,
because I was named in it,--and sent you to tell me so? Good souls! It
was kind of you, and I am bound to be thankful. Take her back news of
the mortgage; and, as for you, leave my house. You may go scot-free this
time; but I pledge my word for a sound beating when you next enter these
doors. I'll pay it to you with interest. Leave my house, I say!"

"A mortgage," said I, in a low voice, and affecting not to hear his
commands; "that will be sad news for my friend. Why, sir, you are a
fortunate man. Malverton is an excellent spot; well watered and manured;
newly and completely fenced; not a larger barn in the county; oxen and
horses and cows in the best order; I never set eyes on a finer orchard.
By my faith, sir, you are a fortunate man. But, pray, what have you for
dinner? I am hungry as a wolf. Order me a beef-steak, and some potation
or other. The bottle there,--it is cider, I take it; pray, push it to
this side." Saying this, I stretched out my hand towards the bottle
which stood before him.

I confided in the power of a fearless and sedate manner. Methought
that, as anger was the food of anger, it must unavoidably subside in a
contest with equability. This opinion was intuitive, rather than the
product of experience, and perhaps I gave no proof of my sagacity in
hazarding my safety on its truth. Hadwin's character made him dreaded
and obeyed by all. He had been accustomed to ready and tremulous
submission from men far more brawny and robust than I was, and to find
his most vehement menaces and ge