“'Yes,' said the other, 'as arrant a poltroon as ever I met. I tell you, you must either fight him, or publish a statement of your own unparalleled disgrace. Don't think you shall get out of it.'
“'I tell you, sir,' said Val, 'that he shall not fight him. I would not suffer a son of mine to put himself on a level with such a person as young M'Loughlin.'
“'On a level with him he never will be, for no earthly advantage could raise him to it; but pray, Mr. M'Clutchy, who are you?'
“'Val's brow fell, and his lip paled and quivered, as the fine young fellow looked him steadily in the face.
“'Never mind him, father,' said Phil 'you know he's a fire-eater.'
“'There is no use in altercations of this sort,' replied Val, calmly. 'As for young M'Loughlin, or old M'Loughlin, if they think themselves injured, they have the laws of the land to appeal to for redress. As for us, we will fight them with other weapons besides pistols and firearms.'
“'D—— my honor,' said, Phil, 'if I'd stoop to fight any Papist. Aren't they all rebels? And what gentleman would fight a rebel?'
“'Honor!' exclaimed Hartley; 'don't profane that sacred word—I can have no more patience with such a craven-hearted rascal, who could stoop to such base revenge against the unsullied reputation of a virtuous and admirable girl, because she spurned your scoundrelly addresses.'
“'He never paid his addresses to her,' said Val;—'never.'
“'No I didn't,' said Phil. 'At any rate I never had any notion of marrying her.'