Clinton. Unplisint they were, and very unplisint too!" But as soon as Deborah had left the kitchen, she went to her chamber, and shut the door, standing with her back against it, and holding the letter end-wise against the light of the candle, peeping through it in order to make out, if she could, its contents. These, at first, baffled her curious eye, but presently she managed to get a sight of them, by pulling out one of the endfolds.

"It is jist as I thought, at any rate," said she; "it's a challenge to fight at half past three o'clock in the morning. Mr Lee is to mate him beyond the cornfields, and there they will murther one another for nothing at-all-atall, if I don't prevint; but by all the saints of Ireland, St. Pathrick included, I will prevint it, or may I never knale down to a catholic priest agin."

The loosened fold was carefully tucked in. The letter was examined with accuracy, and pronounced all in "dacent order," and in a few minutes after, Mr Lee received it from Deborah's hands. Next, she went to the Pastor and addressed him as he was looking out of a window toward the spot where his granddaughter lay.

May it plase your honour," said she, and there stopped.

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"Well Deborah," said he, drawing in his head, and shutting down the sash," what have you to say to me?" Only, yer honour, that Mr. Clinton is intinding to mate Mr. Lee early to morrow morning, to fight him with pistols and swords; and I could not in conscience kape myself back from tilling you of it. They're going to mate beyond the cornfields at half past three o'clock on the Monday morning.

“I hope not—I hope not," said the Pastor, hurriedly; "my grandson I hope would not so forget the principles I have taught him. I feel confident he would not dare to throw away his life, or the life of Mr. Clinton in a duel, knowing that there is a judgment to come. You must be mistaken Deborah."

"If yer honour will belave me, I have jist carried the challenge in a litter to Mr. Arthur myself. I should have brought it to you right away, but I gave my word to Mr. Clinton that no other person but Mr. Lee should see it, or look at it-barring mysilf. And if I broke the word I gave, sure I'd have to penance mysilf for the sin! But I took a peep at the litter mysilf, and saw the maning of it, and that is the maning which I have tould you, yer honour."

"You make very nice distinctions, Debby," said the Pastor; "you seem to think, then, that you have not broken your word to the writer of the letter, although you have read it, and informed me of the contents."

"To be sure I have not, yer honour," said Deborah; "I only promised to let no other person look at it or rade it."

"Well, I cannot stay to argue the point with you now, Debby," said the Pastor; "I must go to my grandson and learn how far this statement of yours is

correct."

Arthur was writing in a chamber, when the Pastor entered to him.

"Arthur," said the latter, "is it true that you have received a challenge from Mr. Clinton, to fight him with swords and pistols ?"

"With swords or pistols, my dear grandfather," re

plied Arthur. "But sit down, and do not distress yourself in the least. You shall hear my brief explanation of the circumstance which gave rise to this challenge, and then read the letter itself-it lies before you on the table. I found Mr. Clinton in the room in which the remains of my beloved sister were. Of course, I was confounded at his insolence in entering the private rooms of this house, for he was no more to us then a stranger. Besides, that he should have dared to go into that room, was a most wanton act of impertinent curiosity, and doubtless, of vanity. I expelled him by force, and, in a manner, promised either to take his life, or forfeit mine, as the only satisfaction I could render him for having wounded his pride."

The Pastor then read Clinton's letter, the contents ran thus:

"Sir, I shall expect that you meet me, as I consider you bound yourself by your word to do, at half-past three to-morrow morning, beyond the cornfields, or elsewhere, in order to render me the only compensation for the insult I have received from you, which I will accept, namely, your life. If I fail to take that by honourable means, I shall be quite ready to yield my own. One of us must certainly perish to-morrow morning. You are at liberty to choose your own weapons. Small swords would be, I think, the best. You have pistols, however, and you can adopt which you think proper."

"And have you answered this letter?" inquired the Pastor.

"I have," replied Arthur; "you shall see my reply. before I seal it."

The Pastor was greatly shocked to read as follows:-

"Sir, I shall not fail to meet you with short swords, which I believe we can both handle a little expertly, at half past three, beyond the cornfields.”

"You cannot intend to leave me childless?" said the Pastor. "You cannot intend to rush into the presence of your Immortal Judge in such an impious manner? Surely I am not deceived in you!,

Arthur arose, went to his grandfather, and took his hand with veneration. "You are not deceived in me," said he; but, if you will allow me, I will remain silent as to the resolution I have formed concerning this matter until after the hour of meeting, named in the letters, is passed."

"And then your soul may be beyond the reach of exhortation, and instruction," said the Pastor.

"Not so, I trust," said Arthur. "My dear grandfather, suffer me to keep what I purpose hid within my own breast, and at the same time believe that you will see me at breakfast with you to-morrow morning, without being stigmatised as a coward, and without having denied my principles. Let your mind be at rest. Sleep to-night without the least fear for me. With the blessing

of God all shall be well."

"I am glad to hear you speak in this manuer," said the Pastor;" and I will not think, that after having so spoken, you will venture to risk your eternal welfare by voluntarily quitting life through such a passage of destruction, or that you will deliberately put yourself in the way of perilling the soul of Clinton; or that you will leave me, of your own accord, quite desolate."

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"I will do neither of these things," said Arthur; "satisfy yourself, dearest grandfather, with my assurance

to that effect. I am truly sorry that I should even have contemplated such a thing."

"Yet you will send that reply which you have written?"

"I must send it; and if you hear me going out in the morning be not alarmed. I assure you, if God so permit, all shall be well with me."

"I rely on you-my grandson-I rely on you. You never yet broke a promise to me, and I cannot think you will now."

"Depend upon me, grandfather.”

The Pastor affectionately wished him good night, and left him. The divine worship of the day was over, and all retired to rest in the lodge. At half-past three the next morning there was a slight rain falling, but this did not deter Clinton, who had slept in a bed in the kitchen, from springing up, and dressing for his engagement. Just before he left the house he looked earnestly at a very small and exquisite ivory miniature of Lady Hester, then placed it with a sigh inside his waistcoat next his heart, that, in case he was struck there by the ball or the sword, it might be shivered at the instant on the fountain. of feeling and life. He had also about him Lucy's farewell verses; for next to the object of his love he placed in his affections the memory of her who had loved him; lastly, he took with him a small roll of paper, and two letters, which he had written in case of his death. Arthur was at the place before him with small swords. The young men haughtily greeted each other, and, at once, whatever fears Clinton might have secretly felt, all vanished. He was buoyant, and keenly eager for the desperate contest. Arthur, on the contrary, was some