CHAPTER V.
"Without misfortune what calamity!
And what hostilities without a foe!
Nor are foes wanting to the best on earth.
But endless are the lists of human ills;
And sighs might sooner fail than cause to sigh."
Young.
After much useless delay, the Court of Inquiry appointed to investigate the past proceedings of General De Brooke whilst holding the command of the district of W, took its course, during which, by continual search and secret information, through the least corrupt of his agents, he was enabled to detect the deceit and treachery employed by his arch-enemy General Haughton, carried even so far as to suborn his private clerks to bear false testimony against him. So scandalous a provocation was not to be endured; betrayed in the grossest manner, his private feelings, equally as his public character, called aloud for redress.
Instantly, therefore, he sent General Haughton a challenge, appointing the hour and place where to meet him, there to make reparation for the in-
