r night that
you probably forget now. You needn't stare--I am serious enough and
honorable enough to keep as an inviolable secret everything of the kind
that a man may happen to disclose in an unguarded moment."

"Go on, Hycy, I don't forget it--I don't, upon my soul."

"I allude to M'Mahon's farm in Ahadarra."

"I don't forget it; but you know, Hycy, my boy, I didn't mention either
M'Mahon or Ahadarra."

"You certainly did not mention them exactly; but, do you think I did
not know at once both the place and the party you allude to? My word and
honor, I saw them at a glance."

"Very well, go on with your word and honor;--you are right, I did mean
M'Mahon and Ahadarra--proceed, most accomplished, and most moral--"

"Be quiet, Harry. Well, you have your eye upon that farm, and you say
you have a promise of it."

"Something like it; but the d--d landlord, Chevydale, is
impracticable--so my uncle says--and doesn't wish to disturb the
M'Mahons, although he has been shown that it is his interest to do
so--but d--n the fellow, neither he nor one of his family ever look to
their interests--d--n the fellow, I say."

"Don't curse or swear, most moral. Well, the lease of Ahadarra has
dropped, and of Carriglass too;--with Carriglass, however, we--that is
you--have nothing at all to do."

"Proceed?'

"Now, I have already told you my affection for your sister, and I have
not been able to get either yes or no out of you."

"No."

"What do you mean?"

"That you have not been able to get yes or no out of me--proceed, most
accomplished. Where do you get your brandy? This is glorious. Well!"

"Now, as you have a scruple against taking the farm in any but a decent
way, if I undertake to manage matters so as that Bryan M'Mahon shall
be obliged to give up his farm, will you support my suit with Miss
Clinton?"

"How will you do it?"

"That is what you shall not know; but the means are amply within my
power. You know my circumstances, and that I shall inherit all my
father's property."

"Come; I shall hold myself neuter--will that satisfy you? You shall
have a clear stage and no favor, which, if you be a man of spirit, is
enough."

"Yes; but it is likely I may require your advocacy with Uncle; and,
besides, I know the advantage of having an absent friend well and
favorably spoken of, and all his good points brought out."

"Crazy Jane and Tom Burton, to wit; proceed, most ingenuous!"

"Curse them both! Will you promi