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Rh he had done him. To this the General did not deign or did not choose to write an answer; cowardice, he thought, could hardly be imputed to one who, since his recent display of valour against the Irish insurgents, had gained so much applause—in the zenith of favour, and had received, besides, the thanks of the Administration. As for his conscience and the counsel of his own heart, he knew how to keep them secret. De Brooke, however, was not to be so satisfied, but having his indignation still more roused by this apparently disdainful silence, he boldly determined in person to provoke him to the combat; and called at his door for the purpose of holding that language which should compel him to render the satisfaction required, or else to repair his injured reputation and his unsullied honour.

Following up the servant to the private door of his master, De Brooke heard him say, "Deny me by all means!" which still further aggravating the latter, he burst into his presence. Folded in a loose dressing-gown, Haughton sat at a table over-looking some papers. Disconcerted by an intrusion so unexpected, he fixed a deep scrutinizing eye on De Brooke, who stood before him pale and trembling with the violence of that invective already bursting from his lips.