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"Nothing shall induce me to forego my intentions," replied Charles. am fixed in the determination of taking revenge equal to his treachery.-Captain Clanmer you shall hear from me."

"A meeting, I presume, or, in plain language, you mean a duel! be it so! but ere I can dare accept the challenge I must arrange my worldly concerns : my money matters are somewhat considerable, and to commence their settlement, I shall request you, sir, to pay me the sum you owe me."

Sir Andrew, on hearing this, pricked up his ears with curiosity. "What is the amount of it, Charles? we'll pay it directly, and dismiss the evil one without further delay, and a good riddance will it be !"

"I am happy, Sir Andrew, to know that your intentions are such as will meet the hopes I entertained; for, to say the truth, unless you are gene

rous, I do not see how your son can liquidate the amount."

"What is it, Charles ?" enquired Sir Andrew. "I'll not mind five hundred pounds, or a thousand, if the debt is so large come, say the sum, and let us be rid of the viper.”

To this question, Charles remained silent it was one upon which he could not muster a sufficient share of courage to answer. He averted his head from his father, and now shrunk from the insulting looks of Clanmer, who knew the power he had over his victim, and was consequently reckless of the threats used to bring him to a sense of justice.

"Your son is confused, Sir Andrew," observed the Captain; "I will reply for him the debt is sixty-five thousand pounds, and for which I have his several notes of hand."

The Baronet changed colour: but gathering a faint hope from the satirical

smile playing upon Clanmer's mouth, he looked incredulously for a minute.—

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Captain Clanmer," said he, "I demand an honest answer: I will not be jested with."

"I have informed you, Sir Andrew, and your son may have the kindness, or the truth, to confirm it."

"Charles, is it so?" demanded Sir Andrew.

"Unfortunately it is!" replied he."I have lost that sum at the gaming table, to a person for whose curst acquaintance I stand indebted to this man. Aye, it has been a league, sir, to ruin me-and God forgive you, Clanmer, for your villainy.

Sir Andrew reeled, and only saved himself from falling by catching hold of a chair he sunk upon it, and lost the. power of speaking for some minutes, He gazed on Charles with such an expression of misery, that the unhappy youth exhibited the bitterest remorse at

beholding the distress his folly had inflicted upon his father.

Louis felt for their distress; but he was not sorry at the event, as it furnished him with the best means of effecting the restoration of both to a more desirable reason, the possession of which would in future enable him to seek his own reparation for the injustice he laboured under. He went up to the Baronet, and taking his passive hand, bade him not yield to further grief, since he conceived the business, dreadful as it appeared, might be remedied with a little exertion. "I should be glad to know the remedy you propose," said Clanmer in a sneering tone. "I hope it may be successful, as I am undoubtedly of a very complaisant disposition, and shall feel happy to meet your views candidly and honourably."

"They shall be explained in time," returned Louis, casting a severe look upon the Captain. "I will become

{'

personally responsible for the debt, which I suppose you will not objectto,"

"Not in the slightest degree, Colonel," replied Clanmer; "and as my presence here is at present unnecessary, I shall beg to withdraw; my continuation in the room may be inconvenient either to Sir Andrew or to Mr. Sagittarius, I therefore wish you good morning."

The Captain took up his hat, put on his gloves, and walked out of the room with the most impudent ease; and to shew this still more, he reprimanded the servants for not opening the street door with a proper alacrity aud attention to their master's visitors.

Meanwhile Louis had restored his father to a considerable degree of composure, by asserting the possibility of ending the unpleasant affair to greater advantage than could be guessed."Believe my words, Sir Andrew," said Louis, no injury shall eventually