Charles's resolution gave way, and he replied in a bitter tone, "I have only to say that I grieve for my father's disgrace; one day he will repent this conduct to his son;" and he instantly quitted the room.
"You hear, gentlemen, you hear," exclaimed Sir Francis Tyrrell, rolling his eyes from one of the magistrates to the other. "He threatens his father! I suppose that some of these days he will horsewhip me, to teach me the respect a father ought to entertain for his son."
One of the magistrates made an attempt to mediate in favour of Charles Tyrrell, but he speedily abandoned it, finding that the storm was likely to fall upon himself; and, in order to avoid any more irritation, he turned to the matter of the smuggling, and hurried through the cases that remained as fast as possible. Sir Francis, in the mood of the moment, would have committed anybody upon any evidence whatsoever; but the other magistrates found themselves bound to oppose such a proceeding; and John Hailes and his companion, with another man against whom there was no evidence at all, were discharged.
Everard Morrison, coolly and undismayed by all that had passed, gave notice that, as soon as he had collected evidence in regard to all the facts, he should take proceedings against the parties concerned in the arrest of John Hailes; but, fearful of a new tempest breaking forth, one of the other magistrates begged him to defer anything he had to say on the subject, to which he consented.
The rest of the business was then speedily arranged. Six of the smugglers were sent to the county jail, and the room was soon cleared. The magistrates immediately called for their horses and departed; and Sir Francis Tyrrell, knowing by Mr. Driesen's calm, cynical smile, that he had noted every word, and tone, and look during the fit of passion in which he had indulged, and had rather enjoyed the scene than otherwise, turned away from a man who, with all his causticity, had never yet given him an opportunity of quarrelling with him, took his hat and stick, and walked out into the park.
Mr. Driesen stood at the window, looking after him for a moment with a bitter smile; then stretched himself at length upon a sofa, took up a book, and, wrapped up in his own selfishness, forgot in two moments a scene which, like everything else that did not affect him personally, passed before his eyes like the performance of a play, without in the slightest degree affecting his heart.
In the mean while Charles Tyrrell had retired to his own room. For several minutes he buried his face in his hands, and struggled eagerly to suppress the tumult of angry feelings that still remained in his bosom. He used every motive, he recollected every inducement which could be suggested by common sense and philosophy, or the far surpassing power of religion: but the task was a long and a difficult one; and he was leaning with his arm on the window-sill, gazing over the park from the open window, when a servant entered the room and informed him that one of the gentlemen who had been below had come up to speak with him. Believing it to be one of the magistrates, and supposing that he had come for the purpose of effecting a reconciliation between him and his father, Charles ordered him to be admitted immediately; but was surprised to see the young officer who had appeared in command of the men belonging to the revenue cutter. He closed the door carefully behind him, and advanced towards Charles Tyrrell with a countenance expressive of candour and frankness, but, at the same time, of some degree of embarrassment.
"I am sorry, Mr. Tyrrell," he said, "I am really sorry to trouble you at such a moment as this, and upon such business. But, as I was coming along just now with the men we had taken, I met an old friend and messmate of mine, named Arthur Hargrave, who informed me that he had had some words with you, and that you had struck him; finding that I was coming on here, he asked me to do what, of course, I could not refuse, namely, to seek an opportunity of speaking with you, and demanding either an apology or immediate satisfaction of another kind."
Charles Tyrrell was in no mood for making apologies, and he replied, "I certainly did strike him, sir, and served him perfectly right. I shall, therefore, make no apology whatsoever for having chastised a person who deserved it. As he is an officer in his majesty's navy, I find, I will give him at once that satisfaction which his conduct does not merit; but as I am obliged to return to Oxford to-morrow, and, as you see, have no inducement to remain here, I can give him no great time for preparation, and will name, if you please, the hour of six to-morrow morning."
"These things can never be settled too soon, when once they are determined upon," replied the young officer: "and we will not fail to be upon the ground, if you will name the spot."