been deemed worthy of notice?'--he bowed with mock humility. 'My
accounts are prepared to undergo the strictest investigation. My--sir--'
said the agent, recovering his self possession the instant business was
mentioned, 'both as regards the estate and personal account, my balances
are correct--that of the estate which yet remains unsettled I am ready
to account for to--the proper parties--' (he substituted for the new
Earl's name which rose to his lips,) 'the small balance on the personal
account which is in my favour, I shall be happy to take your note
for--properly endorsed.' The man of business had been so occupied with
the figures he was running up in his mind, that he had failed to observe
the gathering storm on his companion's brow; he had been so used to hold
down his head while speaking to his patron, that even now he could not
forego the habit; but the last word had not passed his lips fully--ere
the earl rose from his seat, and seizing the heavy brass lamp upon the
table between them, struck the unfortunate man a tremendous blow with
it, which prostrated him to the floor; smashing in a portion of his
skull, and inflicting a mortal wound; the agent groaned and lay
senseless; the servants rushed to the scene on hearing the fall, but the
furious appearance of the murderer terrified them, particularly as he
still held in his hand the weapon he had used; he burst through them,
and mounting his horse at the door, fled as though pursued by all the
fiends of hell.




CHAPTER X.

RETRIBUTION.