supernatural appearances, however disagreeable, were not recognized in
law as a sufficient cause for breaking an agreement, a verdict would be
found for Miss Blake.

"There must be one landlord amongst them," he considered; "and if there
is, he will wind the rest round his finger. Besides, they will take the
side of the women, naturally; and Miss Blake made them laugh, and the
way she spoke of her niece touched them; while, as for the Colonel, he
won't like cross-examination, and I can see my learned friend means to
make him appear ridiculous. Enough has been done for honour--let us
think of safety."

"For my part," said Colonel Morris, when the question was referred to
him, "I am not a vindictive man, nor, I hope, an ungenerous foe; I do
not like to be victimized, and I have vindicated my principles. The
victory was mine in fact, if not in law, when that old Irishwoman's
confession was wrung out of her. So, therefore, gentlemen, settle the
matter as you please--I shall be satisfied."

And all the time he was inwardly praying some arrangement might be come
to. He was brave enough in his own way, but it is one thing to go into
battle, and another to stand legal fire without the chance of sending a
single bullet in return. Ridicule is the vulnerable spot in the heel of
many a modern Achilles; and while the rest of the court was "convulsed
with laughter" over Miss Blake's cross-examination, the gallant Colonel
felt himself alternately turning hot and cold when he thought that
through even such an ordeal he might have to pass. And, accordingly, to
cut short this part of my story, amongst them the lawyers agreed to
compromise the matter thus--