sir," said the other. "Look at that chest of dthrawers, it contains heaps
of letthers that that viper has addressed to that innocent child. There's
promises there, sir, enough to fill a bandbox with; and when I have
dragged the scoundthrel before the Courts of Law, and shown up his
perjury and his dishonour, I have another remedy in yondther mahogany
case, sir, which shall set me right, sir, with any individual--ye mark me
words, Major Pendennis--with any individual who has counselled your
nephew to insult a soldier and a gentleman. What? Me daughter to be
jilted, and me grey hairs dishonoured by an apothecary's son. By the laws
of Heaven, Sir, I should like to see the man that shall do it."

"I am to understand then that you threaten in the first place to publish
the letters of a boy of eighteen to a woman of eight-and-twenty: and
afterwards to do me the honour of calling me out," the Major said, still
with perfect coolness.

"You have described my intentions with perfect accuracy, Meejor
Pendennis," answered the Captain, as he pulled his ragged whiskers over
his chin.

"Well, well; these shall be the subjects of future arrangements, but
before we come to powder and ball, my good sir,--do have the kindness to
think with yourself in what earthly way I have injured you? I have told
you that my nephew is dependent upon his mother, who has scarcely more
than five hundred a year."

"I have my own opinion of the correctness of that assertion," said the
Captain.

"Will you go to my sister's lawyers, Messrs. Tatham here, and satisfy