stures totally ineffectual on a being so
slender and diminutive at once wound up his rage and excited his
astonishment. One motion counteracted and suspended the other. He lifted
his hand, but delayed to strike. One blow, applied with his usual
dexterity, was sufficient to destroy me. Though seemingly careless, I
was watchful of his motions, and prepared to elude the stroke by
shrinking or stooping. Meanwhile, I stretched my hand far enough to
seize the bottle, and, pouring its contents into a tumbler, put it to my
lips:--

"Come, sir, I drink your health, and wish you speedy possession of
Malverton. I have some interest with Eliza, and will prevail on her to
forbear all opposition and complaint. Why should she complain? While I
live, she shall not be a beggar. No doubt your claim is legal, and
therefore ought to be admitted. What the law gave, the law has taken
away. Blessed be the dispensers of law! Excellent cider! open another
bottle, will you, and, I beseech, hasten dinner, if you would not see me
devour the table."

It was just, perhaps, to conjure up the demon avarice to fight with the
demon anger. Reason alone would, in such a contest, be powerless, but,
in truth, I spoke without artifice or disguise. If his claim were legal,
opposition would be absurd and pernicious. I meant not to rely upon his
own assertions, and would not acknowledge the validity of his claim till
I had inspected the deed. Having instituted suits, this was now in a
public office, and there the inspection should be made. Meanwhile, no
reason could be urged why I should part from him in anger, while his
kindred to Eliza, and his title to her property, made it useful to
secure his favour. It was possible to obtain a remission of his claims,
even when the law enforced them; it would be imprudent at least to
diminish the chances of remission by fostering his wrath and provoking
his enmity.

"What!" he exclaimed, in a transport of fury, "a'n't I master of my own
house? Out, I say!"

These were harsh terms, but they were not accompanied by gestures and
tones so menacing as those which had before been used. It was plain that
the tide, which so lately threatened my destruction, had begun to
recede. This encouraged me to persist.

"Be not alarmed, my good friend," said I, placidly and smiling. "A man
of your bone need not fear a pigmy like me. I shall scarcely be able to
dethrone you in your own castle, with an army of hostlers, tapsters, and
c