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the porter told the general that Sir Charles was not at home, the general looked at the fellow, and asked him if he knew who he was. "Attention!" he shouted, as the porter muttered something in reply to him—"Announce me!" And the porter, who in this his extremity scarcely knew how to act, did announce him, and the general was eventually shown up.

As he entered the room in which Sir Charles, who was still much excited, had been anxiously awaiting Sir William's return, the general walked stiffly up to the table, and, on taking a chair, sat immediately opposite Sir Charles, and looked at him for a moment with an expression of severity.

"Sir Charles—Sir Charles Julian!" said he, at length, "I am here—calm and cool, as you perceive—to demand an explanation."

"General," returned Sir Charles, more in sorrow than in anger, "I have nothing to explain—nothing more than that which, I presume, you already know. That your daughter has dishonoured me, is lamentable, but true."

"It is false, sir—atrociously false!"

"Could I reasonably entertain a doubt upon the subject, I would abandon every feeling of suspicion at once; but as her paramour was actually seen coming from her chamber; as my man let him out; and as I myself saw him leave the house as I approached it, doubt is impossible."

"I don't believe a word of it—not a single word!"

"Of what?"

"Of what! Why, of the statement you have made with the view of justifying your abandonment of my daughter."

Sir Charles rang the bell, and when the servant appeared, he ordered Thompson up immediately.

"I'll prove it," said he. "Unhappily, I can prove it. Thompson is my witness: interrogate him yourself."

"Oh!" retorted the general, sarcastically, "I have not the slightest doubt of his having duly learned his lesson."

"What do you mean to insinuate by that?"

"We shall see—we shall see," returned the general, as the butler entered. "Now, sir," he continued, addressing Thompson fiercely, "I have to ask you a few plain questions—questions which, doubtless, you will have to answer upon your oath."

"I will answer them now," said the butler, "as truly as if I were on my oath."

"We shall see: we shall see, sir. Now, then. The very first question I have to ask you is this: did Sir Charles, or did he not, sir, instruct you to make the statement which you have made against Lady Julian?"

"I have made no statement against Lady Julian."

"No equivocation—no quibbling! I ask you a straightforward question, sir, and I expect that you will give me a straightforward answer. I ask you again, whether Sir Charles did or did not instruct you to make the statement which you have made against Lady Julian?"