for gentlemen, not for our rank. But I'll bear it no
more. I throw up your service; I'm tired on it; I've combed your old
wig and buckled your old girths and waistbands long enough, I tell you.
Don't look savage at me, I'm sitting in my own chair, in my own room,
a-telling the truth to you. I'll be your beast, and your brute, and your
dog, no more, Major Pendennis Alf Pay."

The fury of the old gentleman, met by the servant's abrupt revolt,
had been shocked and cooled by the concussion, as much as if a sudden
shower-bath or a pail of cold water had been flung upon him. That effect
produced, and his anger calmed, Morgan's speech had interested him, and
he rather respected his adversary, and his courage in facing him; as of
old days, in the fencing-room, he would have admired the opponent who
hit him.

"You are no longer my servant," the Major said, "and the house may be
yours; but the lodgings are mine, and you will have the goodness to
leave them. To-morrow morning, when we have settled our accounts, I
shall remove into other quarters. In the meantime, I desire to go to
bed, and have not the slightest wish for your further company."

"We'll have a settlement, don't you be afraid," Morgan said, getting up
from his chair. "I ain't done with you yet; nor with your family, nor
with the Clavering family, Major Pendennis; and that you shall know."

"Have the goodness to leave the room, sir--I'm tired," said the Major.

"Hah! you'll be more tired of me afore you've done," answered the man,
with a sneer, and walked out of the room; leaving the Major to compose
himself as best he might, after the agitation of this extraordinary
scene.

He sate and mused by his fireside over the past events, and the
confounded impudence and ingratitude of servants; and thought how he
should get a new man: how devilish unpleasant it was for a man of his
age, and with his habits, to part with a fellow to whom he had been
accustomed: how Morgan had a receipt for boot-varnish, which was
incomparably better and more comfortable to the feet than any he had
ever tried: how very well he made mutton-broth, and tended him when he
was unwell. "Gad, it's a hard thing to lose a fellow of that sort: but
he must go," thought the Major. "He has grown rich, and impudent since
he has grown rich. He was horribly tipsy and abusive to-night. We must
part, and I must go out of the lodgings. Dammy, I like the lodgings;
I'm used to 'em. It's very unpleasant, at m