Dr. Beaumont was struck dumb with surprise. Morgan continued—"And if the young maid is willing, I shall not mind shewing favour to that hot-headed cousin of hers, for her sake. He wants to be a soldier I find; I could get him a commission under Lord Essex, who is a fine spirited commander, and will give him fighting enough. You know it will be doing just as the Waverly family do. Come, I see you hesitate—suppose we call in the young people, and hear what they say?"
"Eustace shall immediately answer to the charge laid against him," said the Doctor, rising to summon him. "And let Mrs. Constantia come too; I wish that business decided first," continued Morgan.
"That business is already determined," answered the Doctor. "Eustace, I have called you to answer to a charge laid against you, of assaulting a peaceable passenger whom you met in your return from the mountains, and taking from him a box which was his property. Did you or did you not commit this outrage?"
"Aye!—answer without fear or evasion, young man," said Morgan.
"I know neither fear nor evasion," replied Eustace, darting on the Justice a look which could not have been more contemptuous had he heard of his offer to Constantia;—"I certainly did beat a saucy knave who insulted me."
"And stole his goods!" said Morgan.
"I took from him something;—let him name what."
"A box or case, his property, are the words of his affidavit."
"Again," said Eustace, "I require him to state what was in that box?"
Morgan coloured—"The forms of law," said he, "must be adhered to. He only swears to a box or case, as his property. Did you or did you not take it from him?"