pects to be darkened by this speck this atom of puppyism-of worthlessness," naming Lord, his destined opponent.-" Oh-if there were-if there were- "he resumed, speaking fiercely through his closed teeth, his eyes glaring downwards, and his hands clenched. He soon relaxed. "Well, well! it can't be helped; 'tis inevitable-návтws TéxgwTai Taữta xôux éxpeυğeтai-as Medea says! Ah-Lord A― at last," he said, as a gentleman, followed by his groom, rode past the window. In a few moments he entered the library. His stature was lofty, his features commanding, and his bearing fraught with composure and military hauteur. "Ah,-Stafford, goodmorning!" said he, approaching and shaking him warmly by the hand, upon my soul I'm sorry for the business I'm come about." sympathize with you, I think," replied Mr Stafford, calmly; My Lord, allow me-Dr ." I bowed. "Fully in my confidence-an old friend," he whispered Lord Ain consequence of his Lordship's inquisitive suspicious glance. "Well, you must teach the presumptuous puppy better manners this evening," said his lordship, adjusting his black stock with an indifferent air!

"I can

*

Ay-nothing like a LEADEN LESSON," replied Mr Stafford with a cold smile.

"For a leaden head, too, by !" rejoined his Lordship quickly. "We shall run you pretty fair through, I think; for we've determined on putting you up at six paces

"Six paces!-why we shall blow one another to!" echoed Mr Stafford, with consternation. "Twould be rather hard to go there in such bad company, I own. Six paces!" continued Mr Stafford, "how could you be so absurd!-It will be deliberate murder!"

"Poh, poh -never a bit of it, my dear fellow-never a bit of it!-I've put many up at that distance-and, believe me, the chances are ten to two that both miss."

"Both miss at six paces ?" enquired Mr Stafford, with an incredulous

smile.

"Ay! both miss, I say; and no

"Read!" said Mr Stafford, putting Lord's letter into his hand. Before his lordship had more than half read it, he let it fall on the table, exclaiming, "Good God! was there ever such an unfortunate thing in the world before!-Ha'n't it really driven you mad, Stafford ?"

No," he replied, with a sigh; "the thing must be borne!" Lord A walked a few steps about the room, thoughtfully, with energetic gestures. "If-if I could but find a pretext-if I could but come across the puppy, in the interval-I'd give my life to have a shot preparatory with him!" he muttered. Mr Stafford smiled. "While I think of it," said he, opening his desk, "here's my will. I wish you and Dr to see me sign." We did-and affixed our names.

fall," he faltered, while the tears rushed to his eyes. He stepped towards the decanters, which had, a little while before, been brought in by the servant; and, after asking us to do the same, poured out a glass, and drank it hastily-and another and another.

"Well-this is one of the saddest affairs, altogether, that I ever knew!" exclaimed his lordship. "StaffordI feel for you from my heart's coreI do!" he continued, grasping him affectionately by the hand; "here's to your success to-night, and God's blessing to Lady Emma!" Mr Stafford started suddenly from him, and walked to the window, where he stood for a few minutes in silence. Lady Emma is returning, I see," said he, approaching us. His features exhibited little or no traces of agitation. He poured out another glass of wine, and drank it off at a draught, and had hardly set down the glass, before the carriage steps were heard letting down at the door. Mr Stafford turned to them with an eye of agony, as his lady and one of her little girls descended.

"I think we'd perhaps better not join her ladyship before our setting off," said Lord A-, looking anxiously at poor Mr Stafford.

“Öh, but we will," said he, leading to the door. He had perfectly recovered his self-possession. I never knew a man that had such remarkable command of face and manner as Mr Stafford. I was amazed at the gay-almost non chalantair with which he walked up to Lady Emma-asked her about the sermon -whether she had called at Admiral -'s—and several other such questions.

"Ah-and how is it with you, my little Hebe-ah?" said he, taking the laughing girl into his arms, laughing, tickling, and kissing her, with all a father's fondness. I saw

his heart was swelling within him; and the touching sight brought, with powerful force, to my recollection, a similar scene in the Medea of Euripides, where the mother is bewailing over the "last smile" of her children.* He succeeded in betraying no painful emotion in his lady's presence-and Lord A- took good care to engage her in incessant conversation.

"What does your ladyship say to a walk through the grounds?" said he, proffering his arm-which she accepted, and we all walked out together. The day was beautiful, but oppressively sultry, and we turned our steps towards the plantations. Mr Stafford and I walked together, and slipped a little behind for the purpose of conversation. "I won't have much opportunity of speaking with you, Doctor," said he," so I'll say what is uppermost now. Be sure, my dear Doctor, to hurry from the field-which is about four miles from my house-to Lady Emma-in the event of my being either killed or wounded-and do what you think best, to prepare my wife for the event. I cannot trust her to better

gentler hands than yours-my old -my tried friend!- -You know where my will is-and I've given directions for my funeral.”

"Oh dear, dear Stafford," I interrupted him, moved almost to tears, "don't speak so hopelessly!"

"Oh, Doctor-nonsense-there's no disguising matters from one's self. Is there a chance for me? No-I'm a murdered man-and can you doubt it? Lord - can do only one thing well in the world, and that is, hit his man at any distance; and then six paces off each other! Lord A—— may say what he likes-but I call it murder. However, the absurd customs of society must be complied with-I hope," he added, after a pause," that when the nine-days'

EUR. MED. 1036-40.

wonder of the affair shall have passed off-if I fall-when the press shall cease its lying about it-that my friends will do justice to my memory, God knows, I really love my country, and would have served it—it was my ambition to do so-but it's useless talking now !—I am excessively vexed that this affair should have occurred before the question comes on, in preparation for which I have been toiling incessantly, night and day, for this month past. I know that great expectations-" At that instant, Lord A——— and Lady Emma met us, and we had no further opportunity of conversing. We returned to lunch after a few minutes' longer walk.

"God bless you, Emma!" said Mr Stafford, nodding, with an affectionate smile, as he took wine with his lady. He betrayed no emotion throughout the time we sat together-but conversed long—and often in a lively strain on the popular topics of the day. He rung for his valet, and directed him to have his toilet ready -and to order the carriage for four o'clock. He then withdrew-and in about a quarter of an hour's time, returned, dressed in a blue surtout and white trowsers. He was a very handsome, well-made man, and seemed dressed with particular elegance, I thought.

Upon my honour, Charles-you are in a pretty dinner-trim," said Lady Emma," and all of you, I protest!" she continued, looking round with surprise at our walking dress. Mr Stafford told her, with a laugh, that we were going to meet none but bachelors.

"What!-why, where will the Misss be?"

with a

"Ordered out, my lady, for the day," replied Lord Asmile, promptly, lest his friend should hesitate; " 'tis to be a model of a divan, I understand!"

"Don't be late, love!" said Lady Emma to her husband, as he was drawing on his gloves; " you know I've little enough of you at all times -don't-don't be late!"

"No-no later than I can help, certainly!" said he, moving to the door.

Say eleven-will you?-come, for once!"

Well yes. I WILL return by

eleven," he replied, pointedly, and I detected a little tremulousness in his tone.

"Papa! papa!" exclaimed his little daughter, running across the hall, as her father was on the carriagesteps; "Papa! papa! may I sit up to-night till you come home?" He made no reply, but beckoned us in, hurriedly-sat back in his seatthundered, " Drive on, sir!" and burst into tears.

"Oh, my dear fellow-StaffordStafford! This will never do. What will our friends on the ground say?" enquired Lord A

"What they like!" replied Mr Stafford, sternly, still in tears. He soon recovered himself.

* * After driving some time, "Now, let me give you a bit of advice," said Lord A-, in an earnest tone, we shall say only one word, by way of signal- Fire!' and be sure to fire while you are in the act of raising your pistol."

stand

Oh, yes-yes-yes-I under

Well, but be sure; don't think of pointing first, and then firing—or, by, you'll assuredly fire over his head, or fire far on one side. Only recollect to do as I say, and you will take him full in the ribs, or clip him in the neck, or at least wing him."

"My dear fellow, do you take me for a novice? Do you forget my affair with ?" enquired Mr Stafford, impatiently.

"I promised to meet G― about here," said Lord A-, putting his head out of the window. "Egad, if he is not punctual, I don't know what we shall do, for he's got my pistol-case. Where-where is he?" he continued, looking up the road. "There!" he exclaimed, catching sight of a horseman riding at a very slow pace.After we had overtaken him, and Lord A- had taken the pistol-case into the carriage, and Mr Stafford had himself examined the pistols carefully, we rode side by side till we came near the scene of action. During that time, we spoke but little, and that little consisted of the most bitter and sarcastic expressions of Mr Stafford's contempt for his opponent, and regret at the occurrence which had so tantalized him, alluding to Lord's offer of the office. About ten minutes to seven, we

66

alighted, and gave the coachman orders to remain there till we returned. The evening was lovely-the glare of day" mellowed to that tender light" which characterises a summer evening in the country. As we walked across the fields towards the appointed spot, I felt sick and faint with irrepressible agitation, and Mr G-,the surgeon,with whom I walked, joked with me at my squeamishness," much in the style of tars with sea-sick passengers. "There's nothing in it-nothing," said he; "they'll take care not to hurt one another. 'Tis a pity too that such a man as Mr Stafford should run the risk. What a noise it will make!" I let him talk on, for I could not answer, till we approached the fatal field, which we entered by a gap. Lord A- -got through first. "Punctual, however," said he, looking round at Mr Stafford, who was following. "There they are-just getting over the stile. Inimitable coxcomb!"

"Ay, there they are, sure enough," replied he, shading his eyes. "Afor God's sake, take care not to put me against this sunshine-it will dazzle

Oh, never fear; it will go down before then-'tis but just above the horizon now." A touching image, I thought! It might be so with Mr Stafford--his sun" might go downat noon!"

Stop, my lord," said Mr Stafford, motioning Lord A back, and pressing his hand to his forehead. "A moment-allow me! Let me sec-is there any thing I've for got? Oh, I thought there was!" He burriedly requested Lord Aafter the affair, in the event of its proving bloody, to call on the minister, and explain it all. Lord Apromised to do so. "Ah-here, too," unbuttoning his surtout, "this must not be here, I suppose;" and he removed a small gold snuffbox from his right to his left waistcoat pocket. "Let the blockhead have his full chance."

"Stuff, stuff, Stafford! That's Quixotic!" muttered Lord A. He was much paler, and more thoughtful than I had seen him all along. All this occurred in much less time than I have taken to tell it. We all passed into the field; and as we approached, saw Lord and

VOL. XXIX. NO. CLXXX.

his second, who were waiting our arrival. The appearance of the former was that of a handsome fashionable young man, with very light hair, and lightly dressed altogether; and he walked to and fro, switching about a little riding-cane. Mr Stafford released Lord A, who joined the other second, and commenced the preliminary arrangements.

I never saw a greater contrast than there was between the demeanour of Mr Stafford and his opponent. There stood the former, his hat shading his eyes, his arms folded, eyeing the motions of his antagonist with a look of supreme-of utter contempt; for I saw his compressed and curled upper lip. Lord betrayed an anxiety-a visible effort to appear unconcerned. He "overdid it." He was evidently as uneasy, in the contiguity of Mr Stafford, as the rabbit shivering under the baleful glare of the rattlesnake's eye. One little circumstance was full of character at that agitating moment. Lord, anxious to manifest every appearance of coolness and indifference, seemed bent on demolishing a nettle, or some other prominent weed, and was making repeated strokes at it with the little whip he held. This, a few seconds before his life was to be jeopardied! Mr Stafford stood watching this puerile feat in the position I have formerly mentioned, and a withering smile stole over his features, while he muttered-if I heard correctly"Poor boy! Poor boy!"

At length the work of loading being completed, and the distance-six paces-duly stepped out, the duellists walked up to their respective stations. Their proximity was perfectly frightful. The pistols were then placed in their hands, and we stepped to a little distance from them.

"Fire!" said Lord A-; and the word had hardly passed his lips, before Lord's ball whizzed close past the ear of Mr Stafford. The latter, who had not even elevated his pistol at the word of command, after eyeing his antagonist for an instant with a scowl of contempt, fired in the air, and then jerked the pistol away towards Lord- ,with the distinctly audible words-"Kennel, sir! Kennel!" He then walked towards the spot where Mr G and I were

3 G

standing. Would to Heaven he had never uttered the words in question! Lord had heard them, and followed him, furiously exclaiming, "Do you call this satisfaction, sir?" and, through his second, insisted on a second interchange of shots; in vain did Lord A-vehemently protest that it was contrary to all the laws of duelling, and that he would leave the ground-they were inflexible. Mr Stafford approached Lord A-, and whispered, "For God's sake, Adon't hesitate. Load-load again! the fool WILL rush on his fate. Put us up again, and see if I fire a second time in the air!" His second slowly and reluctantly assented, and reloaded. Again the hostile couple stood at the same distance from each other, pale with fury; and at the word of command, both fired, and both fell. At one bound I sprung towards Mr Stafford, almost blind with agitation. Lord A had him propped against his knee, and with his white pocket-handkerchief was endeavouring to stanch a wound in the right side. Mr Stafford's fire had done terrible execution, for his ball had completely shattered the lower jaw of his opponent, who was borne off the field instantly. Mr Stafford swooned, and was some minutes before he recovered, when he exclaimed feebly, " God forgive me, and be with my poor wife!"-We attempted to move him, when he swooned a second time, and we were afraid it was all over with him. Again, however, he recovered; and, opening his eyes, he saw me with my fingers at his pulse. "Oh, doctor, doctor, what did you promise? Remember Lady Staf- he could not get out the word. I waited till the surgeon had ascertained generally the nature of the wound, which he presently pronounced not fatal, and assisted in binding it up, and conveying him to the carriage. I then mounted Mr G's horse, and hurried on to communicate the dreadful intelligence to Lady Emma. galloped every step of the way, and found, on my arrival, that her ladyship had but a few moments before adjourned to the drawing-room, where she was sitting at coffee. Thither I followed the servant, who announced me. Lady Emma was sitting by the tea-table, and rose on

I

I cannot undertake to describe what took place on that dreadful night. All was confusion-agony— despair. Mr Stafford was in a state of insensibility when he arrived at home, and was immediately carried up to bed. The surgeon succeeded in extracting the ball, which had seriously injured the fifth and sixth ribs, but had not penetrated to the lungs. Though the wound was serious, and would require careful and vigilant treatment, there was no ground for apprehending a mortal issue. As for Lord, I may anticipate his fate. The wound he had received brought on a lock-jaw, of which he died in less than a week. And THIS is what is called SATISFAC

TION.

To return. All my attention was devoted to poor Lady Emma. She did not even ask to see her husband, or move to leave the drawingroom, after recovering from her swoon. She listened with apparent calmness to my account of the transaction, which, the reader may imagine, was as mild and mitigated in its details as possible. As I went on, she became more and more thoughtful, and continued, with her eyes fixed on the floor, motionless and silent. In vain did I attempt to rouse her, by soothings-threats-surprise. She would gaze full at me, and relapse into her former abstracted mood. At length the drawingroom door was opened by some one-who proved to be Lord A-, come to take his leave. Lady Emma sprung from the sofa, burst from my grasp, uttered a long, loud, and frightful peal of laughter, and then came fit after fit of the strongest hysterics I think I ever saw. About midnight, Dr Baillie and Sir- -arrived, and found their patients each insensible, and each in different apartments. Alas! alas! what a dreadful contrast between that hour and the hour of my arrival in the morning! Oh, ambition! Oh, political happiness-mockery!

*

Towards morning Lady Emma be