orthy of Ursula's lover--of Ursula's husband that was to be.

"Tell your master my business is solely with himself, and I must
request to see him. It is important, say, or I would not thus intrude
upon his time."

"Very well, sir."

Ere long, the man brought word that Mr. Brithwood would be at liberty,
for five minutes only, in the justice-room. We were led out, crossing
the court-yard once more--where, just riding out, I saw two ladies, one
of whom kissed her hand gaily to John Halifax--to the magistrate's
office. There, safely separated from his own noble mansion, Mr.
Brithwood administered justice. In the outer room a stout young
fellow--a poacher, probably--sat heavily ironed, sullen and fierce; and
by the door a girl with a child in her arms, and--God pity her!--no
ring on her finger, stood crying; another ill-looking fellow, maudlin
drunk, with a constable by him, called out to us as we passed for "a
drop o' beer."

These were the people whom Richard Brithwood, Esquire, magistrate for
the county of ----, had to judge and punish, according to his own sense
of equity and his knowledge of his country's law.

He sat behind his office-table, thoroughly magisterial, dictating so
energetically to his clerk behind him, that we had both entered, and
John had crossed the room, before he saw us, or seemed to see.

"Mr. Brithwood."

"Oh--Mr. Halifax. Good-morning."

John returned the salutation, which was evidently meant to show that
the giver bore no grudge; that, indeed, it was impossible so dignified
a personage as Richard Brithwood, Esquire, in his public capacity, too,
could bear a grudge against so inferior an individual as John Halifax.

"I should be glad, sir, of a few minutes' speech with you."

"Certainly--certainly; speak on;" and he lent a magisterial ear.

"Excuse me, my business is private," said John, looking at the clerk.

"No business is private here," returned the 'squire, haughtily.

"Then shall I speak with you elsewhere? But I must have the honour of
an interview with you, and immediately."

Whether Mr. Brithwood was seized with some indefinite alarm, he himself
best knew why, or whether John's manner irresistibly compelled him to
civility, as the stronger always compels the weaker, I cannot tell--but
he signed to the clerk to leave the room.

"And, Jones, send back all the others to the lock-up house till
tomorrow. Bless my life! it's near three o'clock. They can't expect
to kee