nce that I can render you in this unhappy
difficulty I will do it. I know I am about ninety pounds in your debt,
and instead of talking to you in this way, or giving you fair words,
I ought rather to pay you your money. The 'gentleman,' however, is
impracticable for the present, but I trust--"

"Not a word about it," said Bryan, "you'll oblige me if you'll drop that
part of the subject; but listen, Hycy,--I think you're generous and a
little extravagant, and both is a good man's case--but that's not what
I'm going to spake about, truth's best at all times; I heard that you
were my enemy, and I was desired to be on my guard against you."

Hycy looked at him with that kind of surprise which is natural to an
innocent man, and simply said, "May I ask by whom, Bryan?"

"I may tell you some other time," replied Bryan, "but I won't now; all I
can say is, that I don't believe it, and I'm sure that ought to satisfy
you."

"I shall expect you to tell me, Bryan," said the other, and then after
returning a few steps, he caught M'Mahon's hand again, and shaking
it warmly, once more added, "God bless you, Bryan; you are a generous
high-minded young fellow, and I only wish I was like you."

Bryan, after they had separated, felt that Hycy's advice was the very
best possible under the circumstances, and as he had heard for the first
time that Chevydale was in the country, he resolved to go at once and
state to him the peculiar grievance under which he labored.

Chevydale's house was somewhat nearer Ahadarra than Fethertonge's, but
on the same line of road, and he accordingly proceeded to the residence
of his landlord. The mansion indeed was a fine one. It stood on the brow
of a gentle eminence, which commanded a glorious prospect of rich and
highly cultivated country. Behind, the landscape rose gradually until
it terminated in a range of mountains that protected the house from
the north. The present structure was modern, having been built by old
Chevydale, previous to his marriage. It was large and simple, but so
majestic in appearance, that nothing could surpass the harmony that
subsisted between its proportions and the magnificent old trees which
studded the glorious lawn that surrounded, it, and rose in thick
extensive masses that stretched far away behind the house. It stood in a
park, which for the beauties of wood and. water was indeed worthy of its
fine simplicity and grandeur--a park in which it was difficult to say
whethe