Upon his entering the room, where the company had assembled, he either did not see, or chose to take no notice of De Lancaster: but observing to the gentlemen, that having understood them to be called together for the purpose of arranging the rules and regulations of the union-hunt, he expected to have found them in their proper colours, and wished to be informed if any thing had occurred to give them dissatisfaction.
We naturally expect that question from you, said Sir Arthur Floyd, and are prepared to answer, that until you can vindicate yourself from a charge, that is made against you, we are and ought to be dissatisfied, and therefore it is we do not shew our colours, till we are convinced by you we need not be ashamed to wear them.
How am I to convince you of that, gentlemen, but by wearing them myself? However as you insinuate, that a charge is made against me, let me know the nature of that charge, and who it is, that presumes to circulate any thing to my discredit.
Hear me with patience, Sir Arthur replied, and I will state it to you without aggravation. You are suspected to have mal-treated the favourite horse Glendowr, which your uncle left by will to this young gentleman, Mr. John De Lancaster, here present.
I see that he is present, but I do not see the right by which he meets the members of a hunt, that he has no concern with. He is here however; such is your pleasure, and I presume he is here for some purpose, best known to yourselves. I am suspected, it seems: what answer can I give to that? Can you substantiate any charge against me? If you can, state it.
This it is, said Sir Arthur, rising from his seat—The horse, that consistently with the manners of a gentleman, ought to have been delivered according to the purport of your uncle’s will, or at least carefully retained in your stable, was unhandsomely turned out upon the mountain, and there found hamstrung in every leg, most barbarously and feloniously mangled, and dying dead upon the ground.
Who found him there?
I found him, young De Lancaster replied; I and my servant found him there, and in that very condition, which you have heared described.
Well, if you did, what is all that to me?
It is to you, rejoined Sir Arthur Floyd, if the deposition of your own menial servant, charging you as the instigator to, and accomplice in, that barbarous act, cannot be done away. This man is now waiting with Mr. Davis the attorney, ready to substantiate his averment upon oath, and I am the magistrate, that will administer it to him, if you so require.