CHAPTER V.

Thus the spreading Kite

That smells the slaughtered victim from on high,
Flies at a distance, if the Priests are nigh,
And sails around, and keeps it in her eye.

ADDISON.

Hypocrisy, the thriving'st calling,
The only saint's bell that rings all in :
In which all churches are concerned,
And is the easiest to be learned.

HUDIBRAS.

THE Captain, however he might applaud his own and his mother's manoeuvres in detaching Lord Eglinton from Julia, was not particularly anxious that the affair should terminate in a duel. In fact, it became a more serious piece of business than he ever calculated upon : not that he entertained the slightest doubt of Charles's courage, or his wil

lingness to uphold the honour and respectability of his family. The Captain, in short, had deceived himself: he never doubted for an instant but that Lord Eglinton would have broken the engagement to Julia by degrees, and not so suddenly.

He reflected that if the parties met, the chances were that the encounter would be fatal to one at least. If this one were Lord Eglinton, the Captain world, in that case, not repine; but as it was equally probable that Charles might fall instead of the other, it therefore became imperiously necessary for him to prevent the intended meeting, as Charles's death would ruin all his deep-laid schemes and plans for the enjoyment of future riches. Clanmer was well aware of the nice sense of honour entertained by each of the parties, and knew that the duel would not terminate like those petty affairs of honour

that invariably end in a reconciliation and a combat "a la fourchette."

Cursing that sentimentalism of Lord Eglinton, which made him act so unlike a man of the world, the Captain prepared to set his engines of wit once more in active motion, in order to thwart the intended views of his dupes.

Immediately, therefore, that Charles had departed in high dudgeon at his refusal to attend him to the field, Clanmer rang the bell, and ordered the servant to inform Mrs. Clanmer that he desired to speak with her. It was more necessary than ever that a new debate should be held, to consult upon the best measures to be pursued in this aukward dilemma, and for this reason the Captain requested his mother's company.

Mrs. Clanmer listened with deep attention (and well she might!) to her son's story, testifying by her looks how little was the pleasure she experienced

in hearing it. "Our work grows upon us!" exclaimed she as he finished."We are either bunglers, or we have fortune against us. How can we remedy this unlucky check?"

"For that purpose, mother, I requested your company now. That it must be remedied is clear, or else farewell to Julia-Charles's money-and, if you please, a husband for Caroline!"

"I think so too, son: it must be remedied somehow-even if we call to our assistance all the imps of mischief-or else you, like a former great man, will. have to exclaim, 'Othello's occupation's gone!"

"For Heaven's sake, no jesting, mother!" said the Captain. "We have no time to spare in needless words we must decide upon our plan, and promptly too."

"Well, son, I know it: but, pri'thee, confine your angry ebullitions within some bound, for you positively shock

my nerves. They are not over strong, I assure you, from the goodness of the company I visit night after night."

"And yet, mother, for this slavish round of gaiety, and for this enjoyment of nightly folly, we have worked and contrived until our means are nearly exhausted. If we intend to continue this course of extravagant expenditure, our brains must now and then be placed in requisition."

True, child: 'tis a thousand pities we are troubled with the fatigue of thinking so much. But make yourself easy, I will endeavour to settle this matter without much risk or venture."

"Hah!" exclaimed Clanmer, can you do it so readily?"

"To be sure, son: nothing appears easier; and I wonder how it has slipped your penetration."

"I confess, then, that a woman's wit has achieved a victory over me. Let me hear this scheme."