“Sir:  I have received two resolutions passed at a meeting of your troop in Castle Cumber, and regret to say, for the sake of the Yeomanry service of the country, that I cannot send any communication to those who bear the two first names on your committee.  I trust I am a gentleman, and that I shall not knowingly be found corresponding with any but gentlemen.  I have only now simply to say, that I repel with great coolness—­for indignation I feel none—­the charges that have been brought against me, both in the resolutions, and the letter which accompanied them.  Neither shall I take further notice of any letters or resolutions you may send me, as I have no intention in future of corresponding with any one on the subject, with the exception of Lord Cumber himself, with whom I have had recent communications touching this matter.

“I am, sir, &c, “Henry Hartley.”

Our readers are, no doubt, a good deal surprised, that Phil, knowing, from sad experience, the courage for which all the Hartley family were so remarkable, should have ventured to undertake the post of chairman, on an occasion where such charges were advanced against the gentleman in question.  And, indeed, so they ought to be surprised, as upon the following morning no man living felt that sensation so deeply or painfully as did worthy Phil himself, who experienced the tortures of the damned.  The whole secret of the matter, therefore, is, that Phil had lately taken to drink—­to drink at all hours too—­morning, noon, and night.  In vain did his father remonstrate with him upon the subject; in vain did he entreat on one occasion and command on another.  Phil, who was full of valor under certain circumstances, told his father he did not care a curse for him, and d—­d his honor if he would allow him to curb him in that manner.  The fact is, that Phil was at the present period of our tale, as corrupt and profligate a scoundrel as ever walked the earth.  His father had no peace with him and received little else at his hands than contempt, abuse, and threats of being horsewhipped.  Perhaps if our readers can remember the extermination scene at Drum Dhu, together with the appearance of Kate Clank, they will be disposed to think that the son’s conduct now, was very like judicial punishment on the father for what his own had been.  Be this as it may—­on the following morning after the meeting at Castle Cumber, Phil’s repentance, had it been in a good cause, ought to have raised him to the calendar.  In truth, it rose to actual remorse.

“Damn my honor, M’Clutchy”—­for that was now the usual respectful tone of his address to him—­“were you not a precious old villain to allow me to take the chair yesterday, when you knew what cursed fire-eaters these Hartleys are?”

“That, Phil, comes of your drinking brandy so early in the day.  The moment you were moved into the chair—­and, by the way, I suspect M’Bullet had a mischievous design in it—­I did everything in my power, that man could do, to prevent you from taking’ it.”