a tone of jest with which much of seriousness | if the first of us does it, it will save the second; was mingled. but I fear it's a blue look-out." "By!" said the other, striking his clenched fist on the table," there is no honor bright' in it; their name is Irving." At parting, he shook hands with Charles. I could not help thinking, pretty much as two men would do, who found a source of sympathy in being both condemned to death. "O'Brien," said the poor fellow to me, will you stand by and see me shot? It is but little trouble; but I must get some one to do it." It was the work of an instant for Charles to rise from his seat and move towards the blustering bully. He was calm and collected." In tones of thunder the words, "You are a liar and a scoundrel!" burst from his lips; and his clenched fist had stretched Mr. Leeson beside his chair. I now rose to interfere; for the dog-stealer had grasped a bottle of champagne, apparently with the intention of breaking it on Charles' head; the officer, however, dashed it from his hand, and raised up his fallen companion. Charles kept his ground unmoved. Mr. Leeson very soon revived. This," said the officer, "must of course be settled elsewhere." 66 "Sir," cried Charles, "Mr. Leeson knows me. I am nephew to the gentleman of whom he has dared to speak with disrespect; I am cousin to the young lady whose name he has dared to pollute with his ruffian lips; he was for months the guest of that gentleman; he sought that young lady's hand; he has been rejected because he was found out to be a Scoundrel; and you know sir," he added, emphatically, "if what I say be true, his conduet to-night has been that of a liar, a ruffian, and a coward." "You shall answer for this, sir," cried the Infuriate Leeson. "Fortescue, the matter must be settled soon," he added, with a cold, sneering expression, to his companion; "the sooner the better you will be my friend." "I'm damned if I do," was the quick reply of the other, "in this or anything else to a man who has acted so." The young officer rose in violent agitation and pulled the bell; he asked for his share of the bill; and with a significant "Leeson, you know where to find me," he left the room. Charles flung his card most contemptuously on the table; and we followed his example. Mr. Fortescue was apparently waiting for us in the passage; he addressed Charles 16 Sir," he said, "I feel it right to apologize to you for having been in any way a party to the wanton insult that was offered to you tonight; but I have done what I could in the way of reparation." Charles assured him that he had more than exculpated himself. The young officer walked down with us towards college. As we went along, he said, "We are both in for a shot from him; I may put you on an equal footing with myself. Leeson is a professed duellist; he can snuff a candle at twelve paces; this accounts for his conduct to-night; these bullies are always cowards at heart; but perhaps one or other of us might bore him; CCCCLXIII. LIVING AGE. VOL. I. 4 I scarcely knew how to act in taking this office upon myself. I was utterly unaoquainted with the laws and usages of duelling; and it seemed a matter in which a knowledge of them might be essential. At last I thought of consulting a relative of my own, an officer whose regiment was then quartered in Dublin. Charles and I had spent some evenings with him in barracks; and having obtained Charles' permission to communicate all the circumstances to him, I set off without losing a moment to ask his advice. A At the time of which I write, the law of public opinion did not bear so strongly against the practice of duelling as it does now. duel, even where its termination was fatal, was esteemed a light matter. In this, as in every other instance, the tone of general feeling influences that of individuals. I confess I looked upon the matter in which I was engaged in a light very different from what I would now regard it. This much I may just hint in extenuation of myself to those who may be disposed to try my conduct by a rule more unerring than the fluctuating laws of public opinion. The world has grown wiser upon the subject since the same years have taught me much. No one, perhaps, has ever passed through the changes and chances of a varied life without feeling that much of wisdom lies in the lessons of experience. With some difficulty I made my way to Major Williams, in his apartments at George'sstreet barracks. He listened calmly to my story. The fellow escaped too lightly," he said, when I had concluded. "Of course he will send a challenge. Wilson must, of course, meet him; but he is not to receive his fire; he may shoot him the first time if he can." I mentioned to him what I had heard of the skill of the other. He started and betrayed visible emotion. "Poor fellow," he cried, "this is a cursed system - this villain will shoot him like a dog. fellows like him insult society. damn the bully!" he repeated, bitterly, at the conclusion of the broken sentences which he had uttered half as an address to me, and half soliloquizing. "Are you up to such matters?" he said eagerly. 66 I can't say I am," I replied. "Did you ever load a pistol?" "I have," said I. her daughter had been preserved from misery. Mr. Irving appeared hurt at his own want of "What for?" he said, with a smile. "To shoot sparrows," I replied, catching at the moment from him an expression of gay-discrimination; he consoled himself, however, ety that was far from my heart. by the reflection that "the rascal was a most accomplished hypocrite;" but, he added, “I might have suspected him when he took so suddenly to religion.' "Good heavens!" he exclaimed; "his chance is not worth a groat; this noble young fellow will be shot by that scoundrel; it is a cursed system-damnable-damnable - if it could be done without." He paced up and down the room for an instant. "He shan't be murdered-no, by, !" he added, with an oath. "Will he let me be his second, O'Brien?-will you give me your place?" A smile played on his features as he spoke. "Are you serious, major ?" I asked. "Perfectly serious," he replied; "his only chance is in an experienced second. I have seen some affairs of the kind," he continued, with a melancholy air; "they are horrible businesses; but this poor young fellow must not be shot without a fair chance." It was not difficult to obtain Charles' consent to the proposed substitution. "I do not, however," he added, with a ghastly smile, "release you from your promise; you must come and see me shot." Upon Ellen the effects of the extraordinary scene she had witnessed were such as might have been expected from its agitating nature. An illness, that confined her for some days to her room, was the consequence. Charles had heard something of the occurrence from her uncle, who told him at the same time that Ellen showed more sense than they all. She never could endure the fellow, though she could give no reason for her dislike. These few words excited a tumult of feeling in Charles' breast. His agitation could not escape the notice of the other. "Ho, ho!" he cried, with the air of one who had just made a discovery; "maybe the secret's out-maybe she liked her cousin best, ho, ho!" There was nothing of displeasure in the tone in which he spoke. Charles' heart beat too violently to permit him instantly to reply, and, something having called off Mr. Irving, the conversation dropped. Contrary to our expectation, we heard nothing from Mr. Leeson that night. I felt a kind of regret; I thought it would have been Brief, however, as it had been, it had a all over the next morning. There was a horri- deep import to Charles' heart. Ellen had ble suspense that was worse than the most rejected Mr. Leeson. How deeply had he terrible certainty; and yet I could not but wronged her by his unmeaning jealousy! Her feel that it was a day's reprieve to the poor uncle, too, had alluded to the possibility of victim of the system, by which a coward first her loving him, in a tone that conveyed no dis insults and then murders, and calls this satis-approbation. How did he long to ask her faction to injured society. Next morning, however, a gentleman waited on Charles, from Mr. Leeson. There was no apology asked or offered. The gentleman was referred at once to Major Williams to "arrange" everything. The place chosen was the celebrated spot in the Phoenix Park, known by the name of the Fifteen Acres; the hour fixed was as early on the next morning as there could be sufficient light for the work of death. All these arrangements were made, and communicated to Charles before twelve o'clock in the day. forgiveness, and declare his own love! Something told him that he should find it no hard matter to obtain the one, and induce her to accept the other. It was in this state of mind that he had met Mr. Leeson in the manner I have described. He had not yet seen Ellen, as she was not yet sufficiently recovered to leave her room. When he found that he had one day, perhaps his last day, to himself, he almost mechanically bent his steps to Clontarf. The face of nature wore a gladness that could not but throw its hues of cheerfulness I have the rest of the day to myself," he over one who felt that he might never look said, bitterly, as Major Williams left him, upon that face again. The keen air of promising to call for him at five in the morn-autumn gave a clear blueness to the sky and ing; and telling him that he would settle all other matters, so that he need think no more about it. the sea- and the bright sunshine colored every object with a tinge of joyousness. As Charles passed along the shore, he paused to gaze upon the scene. The white sails of a hundred skiffs moved joyously along the little My readers have of course-that is, if, as I billows that danced in gladness on the bosom am bound to believe, they be possessed of an of the sea- the white clouds sailed slowly ordinary degree of intelligence-understood over the sky-and far away the mountains the results of the disclosures of the unfortunate raised their summits, standing out in unusual Sally. It may be imagined that Mr. Leeson distinctness from the blue line of the horizon. very speedily took his departure from the cot-All nature was in harmony with life-life and tage. Mrs. Irving fervently thanked God that gladness-but that time to-morrow, what might he be? There was something sickening in the thought. He thought, too, of her who had been the vision of his dreams. He felt assured she loved him. Then could she bear his death? What right had he to sear the heart that was devoted to him? But it was now too late. It must be; and with this thought he quieted the emotions which, despite of himself, rose in his soul. He thought, too, of another world, and of Him, before whom, perhaps, he must shortly stand. The recollections of his childhood rushed back upon his mind. He thought of the act in which he was about to engage. A cold shudder passed through his frame as conscience whispered that it was a violation of God's law. It was that chapter in the book of Genesis, in which Abraham prays for Sodom. When he came to the remarkable verse, "That be far from thee, O Lord, to punish the innocent with the guilty," his voice faltered; he could not go on. Both his aunt and cousin fixed their eyes on him. He pleaded nervousness as an excuse for his emotion. He could not but remark the anxious glance his cousin cast at him, and the anxious tone of voice with which she told him to take care and not injure his health by study. My readers must conceive an interview which I confess I am utterly inadequate to describe. He dare not allude to the feelings of his heart. Indeed, he had no opportunity as Mrs. Irving remained constantly with him until the hour of dinner. Mr. Irving came in great spirits, at the unexpected success of some mercantile speculation. He rallied both Ellen and Charles on their paleness. "And yet," he reasoned with himself, “ am I not risking my life in a cause that conscience must approve to defend the peace and sacredness of a happy home, against injuries perhaps as deep and deadly as those of which the law takes cognizance? The soldier "Why, man," said he to the latter. on the field of battle may look for protection". you look like a man going to be shot." while he defends his home and his country Fortunately, he turned away too quick to from his foe; why may not he who singly remark the effect his chance words prodefends the peace of society against the enemy that would invade it ?" His conscience distrusted the soundness of the reasoning, but it satisfied him. On arriving at the cottage, he found that Ellen was so inuch better as to have altogether left the confinement of her room. A deep blush crimsoned her entire features when she met him; both their manners were embarrassed. Persons are always embarrassed when each is conscious of their own acquaintance with a subject of common interest upon which they have never spoken. Mrs. Irving insisted that Charles should remain there for dinner. Her brother and sister-in-law were to come and take share of a family dinner, and Mr. Irving would be glad to meet Charles. Charles fancied there was some significance in the manner in which she spoke. He thought it might be his last day. He did not regret that it would be spent with Ellen. Her cheek was pale from the effects of recent illness. When he gazed upon that pale cheek, and thought that before the morrow was over, sorrow might blanch it to a more ghastly hue, he felt as if his heart would break. And yet, when he looked upon her, and thought of her so free from guile, so pure and upright, he felt as if she was not to suffer for his sake. The Bible was lying open on the table, when he entered. His arm involuntarily rested on the sacred page. "Charles,” said his aunt," will you finish for us a chapter we were reading when you came in?" duced. Dinner passed away, and Charles and Mr. Irving were left alone. Their conversation was on indifferent subjects, until, just as they were rising to join the ladies, Mr. Irving said, standing "Charles, you never told me if I was not right. There is something between you and your cousin, is n't there ?" "Indeed, sir," said Charles, "if ever we had spoken to each other as you seem to suppose, it would not be concealed from you." "Well, well," said the other, "that's very right; but I see plain enough you 've a liking for each other." He moved off towards the door, and, putting his hand on Charles' shoulder, he added "She's my child, Charles, and, believe me, I would rather see her married to you without a penny, than to some we know of with a title and estates. Charles' heart was touched. He felt as if he should communicate to Mr. Irving the perilous adventure in which he was next. morning to be engaged. He attempted to speak, but his voice was choked in his throat; and, while he was hesitating, the other had passed on, humming a tune. The state of his feelings during the rest of the evening was bordering on agony, but he felt a mysterious assurance that he would be safe. The words "Thou wilt not punish the innocent with the guilty," rested on his soul. When he looked on Ellen, he felt that there was a safeguard in her interest in him. Even when taking leave, the only sign of emotion he manifested was, that he mechanically retained her hand and pressed it for some time. She reddened and withdrew it, with something like an expression of anger. Mr. Irving's carriage was at the door; he pressed Charles to accompany him, and remain all night. Charles pleaded business as an excuse. "Well," said the other, "come out to breakfast with me; get up early, and do your business first. Nine o'clock," he shouted, as the carriage rolled off. sat next me, I presumed to be a surgeon; but we had enough to do to keep the rain and foggy air out of our mouths, by keeping our mufflers close to them, and neither of us spoke. We had reached that part of the Phoenix Park where the road winds at the bottom of the glen, the sides of which are thickly covered with hawthorns. I do not know whether it has any particular name. A lady of my acquaintance has assured me that it is called "The Valley of Thorns;" but I more than "Yes," answered Charles, and proceeded to make his way home, with some rather gloomy reflections as to the probability of his keep-suspect that her own poetical taste has been the ing his engagement. That night he addressed two letters, one to Mr. Irving, and the other to Ellen, both of which he entrusted to my care to deliver, in case he should fall. The college gates had just opened next morning, when Major Williams, true to his appointment, came to Charles Wilson's rooms. Charles and I were both waiting for him. He was wrapped up in a military cloak, under which he carried a box, which, of course, I conjectured to contain a case of pistols. "Make haste, Wilson," he said. "I have been kept waiting at these cursed gates until the hour for opening came. Your college clock is, like everything else about it, infernally slow." source of this appropriate name. About one Charles put out the candle which was burning on the table, and we moved down stairs. It was a rainy morning; a thick miz-of her search. zling rain was drifted in our faces. As we passed through the college gates, two or three half-sleeping porters eyed us suspiciously, and yawned. Outside the gate, a hack car was waiting; on one side of it a gentleman sat, beside whom the major desired me to get. Charles and he got upon the other. "Where now, yer honor?" said the driver, touching his hat with a leer that implied that he anticipated the answer. "Up Dame Street," said the major, sternly, anxious to avoid the inquisitiveness of a porter who loitered lazily after us. The driver applied the whip to the thing of skin and bones which supplied the place of a horse, and the animal dashed forwards with a speed which his appearance did not promise. "To the Acres, yer honor?" said the driver, when he had gone far enough to need fresh directions. The major nodded assent. "Gee up, my ould play-boy," said the fellow to his horse; and he applied the lash with a zest that seemed to indicate that he expected some sport and good pay. The first dawn of day was scarcely discernible. The lamps were all burning in the streets. Scarcely any one was astir. It was altogether a dismal morning, and, wrapped up in our cloaks, on the crazy vehicle on which we sat, we seemed a dismal party. Not a word was spoken. The gentleman who She "Master Charles," said she, looking steadily in his face, do you remember when last I saw you I speyed, Master Charles, and my speying is come true." Even the coolness of Major Williams was completely disconcerted by this singular interruption. "Sally Browne," said Charles, "what in the name of Heaven brings you here?" "What brings me here? I know what brings you here. Did you not revenge me long ago-long, long ago?- and now he's gone up there he would have taken my life but for them that were with him, who said it was a sin to harm the mad girl. I stood in his road like his wraith, and I cursed him → and he trembled like that tree that the wind 's shaking. It's a morning, Master Charles, that one would fear to meet their bad conscience; I cursed him-here- cursedcursed." 46 What, in the name of Heaven, is the meaning of this?" said Major Williams, in a whisper to Charles. "The curse be upon him," said Charles, earnestly; "this- this is his doing." "The speying 's come out, Master Charles, when they that heard it are with the dead. I'm wilder now, but not so light-hearted." "Poor, poor soul!" said the major, feel ingly. Sally," said Charles, "we have not time. to talk now; go back home again; this is no place for you at this hour." "Home!" she cried, with an hysteric scream, that was something like a whoop; "home! I have no home I must wander the wide world till I meet with the old man the dead man with the white hairs- my home's the home of the wind- but I'll go -I'll not stop you as I stopped him - I tracked him these three days, and I found out that he was coming here, and I met him to curse him and I saw his heart all wither up, and now I'm gone to wander for the dead man the old man with the gray head - my father-father- father!" and, still muttering these words, she passed us at a rapid step, and disappeared among the whitethorns. The delay had kept us so much that we had not time to ask for explanation of this singular occurrence. I heard Charles say to the major, "A victim of his perfidy." The major sighed heavily, and we walked on. A few minutes more brought us to the ground. Mr. Leeson and his second were there before us; and a third person, whom I recognized as the gentleman to whom I had attributed the office of dog-stealer. Mr. Leeson had brought no surgeon. By this time the light was clear enough for all our purposes. The gentleman who was to act as Mr. Leeson's second stepped out to Major Wil "I believe, sir," said the major, "the challenged party has a right to some discretion; I wish fifteen." The other retired to consult his principal; they talked awhile in visible agitation. The major eyed them with a look, of which the scorn was not concealed. "Then, sir," said the major, "you can have no objection to nine?" I felt my blood run cold. "It would be little better than murder," said the other. "Nine, sir," taking no notice of what he said, said the major; " you have refused fifteen; I am anxious, on the part of my friend, to give you every satisfaction. After some few words, the ground was measured at nine paces. When Mr. Leeson was placed, he became deadly pale. His coat was open, so as to expose a part of his linen on his breast. He attempted to button it; but his hand trembled so violently that he could not. The dog-stealer remarked it, and buttoned it for him. The seconds loaded the pistols, and handed each to his respective friend. Some few words had previously passed between Major Williams and Charles, at which I moved off, that I might not overhear. He now handed him his pistol, and we all moved off. The word was given there was first one report an instant afterwards the other. I trembled to look round. I heard some one exclaim, with an oath, "He's killed!" I looked towards the spot where Charles stood, certain that my eyes would be blasted by the sight of his bleeding corpse. But he stood, just in the attitude in which he had fired. Opposite to him his friends had raised up his unfortunate antagonist. I ran towards him. Our surgeon was beside him. The wounded man had his hand upon his left side, indicating the direction the ball had taken. He had opened up his coat and waistcoat to search for the wound — the ball had carried in a portion of his dress into the wound. The surgeon shook his head. The dying man perceived it. "I know it," he cried; I'm done - curse it-I wanted his blood, and he has mine curse him!" he cried, as he clenched his fist. "Nine paces it should have been three have gone together then we would curse that mad banshee -CURSE YOU ALL!" he roared with a fiendish energy. A few more terrible imprecations, a few gnashes of the teeth, and that ferocious spirit had passed away. There was silence for some seconds; the surgeon was the first to break it. Fly, gentlemen," he said; here." "it's all over The admonition to fly was quickened by the appearance of a party rapidly moving towards us. All dispersed in different directions Major Williams almost dragging with him his unheeding principal. There was some"Major Williams," said the other, re-thing terrible in thus leaving the corpse of a turning, "my friend seeks satisfaction for an fellow-creature, who, but a few minutes beoutrageous insult- -the distance you propose fore, had come with us in health and strength. is too great." I felt I could not fly. I was amazed when |