resided, confirmed, in its worst sense, that which Nell M"Collum had
suggested to him
The appearance of the Dead Boxer"s wife in the house where Lamh Laudher
resided, confirmed, in its worst sense, that which Nell M"Collum had
suggested to him. It is unnecessary to describe the desolating sweep of
passion which a man, who, like him, was the slave of strong resentments,
must have suffered. It was not only from motives of avarice and a
natural love of victory that he felt anxious to fight: to these was now
added a dreadful certainty that Lamh Laudher was the man in existence
who had inflicted on him an injury, for which nothing but the pleasure
of crushing him to atoms with his hands, could atone. The approaching
battle therefore, with his direst enemy, was looked upon by the Dead
Boxer as an opportunity of glutting his revenge. When the crowd had
dispersed, he called a waiter, and desired him to inquire if his
wife had returned. The man retired to ascertain, and the Boxer walked
backwards and forwards in a state of mind easily conceived, muttering
curses and vows of vengeance against her and Lamh Laudher. After some
minutes he was informed that she had not returned, upon which he gave
orders that on the very instant of her appearance at the inn, she should
be sent to him. The waiter"s story in this instance was incorrect;
but the wife"s apprehension of his violence, overcame every other
consideration, and she resolved for some time to avoid him. He had, in
fact, on more than one occasion openly avowed his jealousy of her and
O"Rorke, and that in a manner which made the unhappy woman tremble for
her life. She felt, therefore, from what had just occurred at Widow
Rorke"s cabin, that she must separate herself from him, especially as
he was susceptible neither of reason nor remonstrance. Every thing
conspired to keep his bad passions in a state of tumult. Nell M"Collum,
whom he wished to consult once more upon the recovery of his money,
could not be found. This, too, galled him; for avarice, except
during the whirlwind of jealousy, was the basis of his character--the
predominant passion of his heart. After cooling a little, he called for
his servant, who had been in the habit of acting for him in the capacity
of second, and began, with his assistance, to make preparations for
to-morrow"s battle.
