"In a short time the Major made his appearance, dressed with a most military accuracy of costume. There was not a speck of dust on his well-brushed blue surtout--not a vestige of hair, except the regulation whiskers, on his closely-shaven countenance. His hat was brushed to the most glossy perfection--his boots shone in the jetty glow of Day and Martin. There was scarcely an ounce of flesh on his hard and weather-beaten face, and, as he stood rigidly upright, you would have sworn that every sinew and muscle of his body was as stiff as whipcord. He saluted us in military style, and was soon put in possession of the case. Wooden-leg Waddy insinuated that there were hardly as yet grounds for a duel. "'I differ,' said Major Mug, 'decidedly--the grounds are ample. I never saw a clearer case in my life, and I have been principal or second in seven-and-twenty. If I collect your story rightly, Mr Burke, he gave you an abrupt answer in the field, which was highly derogatory to the lady in question, and impertinently rude to yourself?' "'He certainly,' said I, 'gave me what we call a short answer; but I did not notice it at the time, and he has since made friends with the young lady.' "'It matters nothing,' observed Major Mug, 'what you may think, or she may think. The business is now in _my_ hands, and I must see you through it. The first thing to be done is to write him a letter. Send out for paper--let it be gilt-edged, Waddy--that we may do the thing genteelly. I'll dictate, Mr Burke, if you please.' "And so he did. As well as I can recollect, the note was as follows:-- "'SPA-WALK, MALLOW, _June 3, 18--_. "'Eight o'clock in the morning. "'SIR,--A desire for harmony and peace, which has at all times actuated my conduct, prevented me, yesterday, from asking you the meaning of the short and contemptuous message which you commissioned me to deliver to a certain young lady of our acquaintance, whose name I do not choose to drag into a correspondence. But now that there is no danger of its disturbing any one, I must say that in your desiring me to tell that young lady she might consider herself as d----d, you were guilty of conduct highly unbecoming of an officer and a gentleman, and subversive of the discipline of the hunt. I have the honour to be, sir, your most obedient humble servant, "'ROBERT BURKE. "'P. S.--This note will be delivered to you by my friend, Major Mug, of the 3d West Indian; and you will, I trust, see the propriety of referring him to another gentleman without further delay.' "'That, I think, is neat,' said the Major. 'Now, seal it with wax, Mr Burke, with wax--and let the seal be your arms. That's right. Now, direct it.' "'Ensign Brady?'