flect on murder with the sang-froid of a modern duellist. Not that his feelings bore the slightest tinge of personal fear-he was as free from that unmanly failing as the new-born babe from guilt.

Stanley call'd on him in a post-chaise; and they left Brompton for Wimbledon, together.

"If I fall," said Philip, presenting the letters he had written, "let me entreat you not to delay forwarding this packet, longer than may suit your own convenience."

"I will not fail, rely upon me," quoth his friend; but mine are hair-triggers, and, I hope, you'll wing him."

At the sixth mile-stone they were join'd by Lord Vulture, and two gentlemen; one of whom was a surgeon, and remain'd in his lordship's carriage, while the two principals, with their seconds, withdrew to a more retired ground.

Vulture's friend proposed, if possible, to accommodate the difference; but to this Travers gave his decided negative, averring, that he had been too ill used to admit the possibility of compromise, without some satisfaction-and that, whoever might fall,

he left it to his lordship's conscience to decide who had been the aggressor.

If that be the case, gentlemen, take your ground," said Stanley.

They did so, at the distance of twelve paces-Philip allowing his adversary the first fire, which took no effect-when the other discharged his pistol in the air.

"I do not seek your life, Vulture," said he; " may God forgive you! as I do."

"Stand your ground, sir; I did not come here to play the boy. Here's at you, again!" cried Vulture; firing at him while within the distance of eight yards-but, again, missing him.

Nay, then, self-defence is a duty-and prompts me not to throw my life away," exclaim'd Philip; and he level'd the deadly tube the contents whereof enter'd the ungenerous Vulture's side, and he fell.

The resentment of Travers, instantly, va nish'd; he threw the murderous weapon from his hand, and flew to the bloody spot -horror-struck at what he had done. friend entreated him to abscond; but he refused to stir, until he had heard the opinion

His

of the surgeon-who, to his extreme joy, pronounced the wound not dangerous. At which, he dropp'd on his knees, crying: "Bless'd be Providence! Oh! God! had it been the will of fate that I had destroy'd a fellow-being, death had been a mercy to the stings of conscience!"

He continued at home, in a state of the greatest anxiety, relative to the health of Vulture; when a letter was deliver'd to him, without a signature; warning him, as he valued his liberty, to absent himself from his present abode, there being an arrest against his person, for money due to Lord Vulture. It concluded, by repeating there was no time to be lost in making his retreat.

Bad as was our hero's opinion of Vulture, he could not prevail on himself to credit the purport of this epistle-and was about to commit it to the flames, as a libel, when, fortunately for him, Stanley enter'd the room. The letter was submitted to his inspection; and he gave it, as his decided opinion, that the intimation should not be slighted. Saying, he knew Vulture to be

capable of any action that might forward his purposes, or gratify his revenge.

"Your best plan will be to leave London, and indeed England, as soon as possible. Send for a coach, which shall carry us into Surrey -where your servant can join you with your horse."

This advice was too salutary to be neglected. He rung the bell, and told Humphry, circumstances render'd his removal necessary; and that it was, also, out of his power to retain him any longer in his ser vice.

"What, sir!" cried Hawbuck, staring and gasping for breath-" p....a....rt with I?-Oh! Lord! Oh! Lord! Oh! Lord! what have I done to defend thee?"

66

Nothing, my good fellow," replied Philip, soften'd by his emotion; "but, my purse is so low, I must, henceforth, learn to wait upon myself, for I cannot afford to keep

a servant.

"Rot your purse!". rejoin'd the pool fellow, with tears in his eyes, (" I beg pardon for saying so!) but I did never wish to serve thee for the lucre of gain-I did n't, indeed,

sir! I have always had a mortal liking for thee,ever since thee didst take my part against silly justice with big nose. I never shall forget it, by Gosh! and seeing I have march'd side by side with thee, when thee were on full pay, I do wish to do so now (with submission) though thee be'est reduced." "Well, well, it shall be so. But call a coach, as soon as possible, and you shall know more."

"I wull, sir, I wall," return'd Humphry, as he left the room in an ecstasy; and, by Gosh! I'll stick to thee, so long as I can march!"

Philip, having arranged his apparel, &c. as well as the shortness of his stay would permit, order'd the coachman to drive to the Star and Garter, at Putney; having, previously, given directions to Hawbuck to join him there.

During their ride, it was suggested by Stanley, that Travers should proceed to Dublin; where the former had an uncle of high rank in the army.

"If you still entertain your passion for a soldier's life," he continued, "I'll answer