ghtforward young gentleman, having now accomplished
his purpose, and been the means of M'Mahon having exposed himself to
popular vengeance, took the first opportunity of withdrawing from him
secretly, and seeking Vanston's agent. Having found him, and retired out
of hearing, he simply said--

"I will trouble you for three hundred."

"You shall have it," replied that honest gentleman; "you shall have it.
We fully acknowledge the value of your services in this matter; it is to
them we owe our return."

"There is no doubt in the matter," replied Hycy; "but you know not my
difficulty, nor the dexterous card I had to play in accomplishing my
point."

"We are sensible of it all," replied the other; "here," said he, pulling
out his pocket-book, "are three notes for one hundred each."

"Give me two fifties," said Hycy, "instead of this third note, and you
will oblige me. By the way, here is the major." With this the other
immediately complied, without the major having been in any way cognizant
of the transaction.

On entering the inner room where they stood, Vanston shook hands most
cordially with Hycy, and thanked him in very warm language for the part
he took, to which he had no hesitation in saying he owed his return.

"Look upon me henceforth as a friend, Mr. Burke," he added, "and a
sincere one, who will not forget the value of your influence with the
young man whose vote has gained me the election. I have already served
him essentially,--in fact saved him from ruin, and I am very glad of
it."

"I really feel very much gratified, Major Vanston, that I have had it in
my power," replied Hycy, "to render you any service of importance; and
if I ever should stand in need of a favor at your hands, I shall not
hesitate to ask it."

"Nor I to grant it, Mr. Burke, if it be within the reach of my
influence."

"In the mean time," said Hycy, "will you oblige me with a single franc?"

"Certainly, Mr. Burke; with half a dozen of them."

"Thank you, sir, one will be quite sufficient; I require no more."

The major, however, gave him half a dozen of them, and after some
further chat, and many expressions of obligation on the part of the new
M.P., Hycy withdrew.

CHAPTER XIX.--Bryan Bribed--is Rejected by Kathleen.

In the course of about two or three hours after the transaction already
stated, old Peety Dim was proceeding towards the post-office with a
letter, partly in his closed hand, and partly up the inside