ughtily
up to Mordaunt, who was leaning against the wainscot and conversing with
those around him.

"I cannot but conceive, Mr. Mordaunt," said he, with a formal bow, "that
I have been misinformed in the intelligence I have just received."

"Lord Ulswater will perhaps inform me to what intelligence he alludes."

"That Mr. Mordaunt, the representative of one of the noblest families in
England, has given the encouragement and influence of his name and rank
to the designs of a seditious and turbulent mob."

Mordaunt smiled slightly, as he replied, "Your lordship rightly believes
that you are misinformed. It is precisely because I would not have the
mob you speak of seditious or turbulent that I have made it my
request that the meeting of to-morrow should be suffered to pass off
undisturbed."

"Then, sir," cried Lord Ulswater, striking the table with a violence
which caused three reverend potentates of the province to start back
in dismay, "I cannot but consider such interference on your part to the
last degree impolitic and uncalled for: these, sir, are times of great
danger to the State, and in which it is indispensably requisite to
support and strengthen the authority of the law."

"I waive, at present," answered Mordaunt, "all reply to language neither
courteous nor appropriate. I doubt not but that the magistrates will
decide as is most in accordance with the spirit of that law which, in
this and in all times, should be supported."

"Sir," said Lord Ulswater, losing his temper more and more, as he
observed that the bystanders, whom he had been accustomed to awe, all
visibly inclined to the opinion of Mordaunt, "sir, if your name has been
instrumental in producing so unfortunate a determination on the part
of the magistrates, I shall hold you responsible to the government for
those results which ordinary prudence may calculate upon."

"When Lord Ulswater," said Mordaunt, sternly, "has learned what is
due not only to the courtesies of society, but to those legitimate
authorities of his country, who (he ventures to suppose) are to be
influenced contrary to their sense of duty by any individual, then he
may perhaps find leisure to make himself better acquainted with the
nature of those laws which he now so vehemently upholds."

"Mr. Mordaunt, you will consider yourself answerable to me for those
words," said Lord Ulswater, with a tone of voice unnaturally calm; and
the angry flush of his countenance gave place to