h, and a fellow, without knowing why or wherefore."

"No, sir--not at all---I will make Cavanough call upon you."

"I don't understand this," replied the uncle, rubbing behind his ear; "I
don't perceive; but pray what interest have you in the matter?"

"Upon my honor, uncle, none in life, unless an anxiety to serve poor
M'Mahon. The world is down upon him about that vote which, considering
all the circumstances, was more creditable to him than otherwise. I
know, however, that in consequence of the estrangement between him and
Miss Cavanagh, he is bent on emigrating. It is that fact which presses
upon him most. Now will you oblige me in this, uncle?"

"Let Cavanagh call upon me," he replied, "and if I can say anything to
soften the old fellow, perhaps I will."

"Thank you, uncle--thank you--I shall not forget this kindness."

"Well, then," said his uncle, "I am going down to Fethertonge on a
certain matter of business, you understand, and--let me see--why, if
Cavanagh calls on me tomorrow about eleven, I shall see him at all
events."

Young Clinton felt surprised and grieved at what his uncle had just
hinted to him; but on the other hand, he felt considerably elated at the
prospect of being able to bring about a reconciliation between these two
families, and with this excellent motive in view he went to Cavanagh,
with whom he had a private conversation. Having been made aware
by M'Mahon himself of Cavanagh's prejudice against him, and the
predilections of himself and his wife for an alliance into Burke's
family, he merely told him that his uncle would be glad to see him the
next day about eleven o'clock, upon which the other promised to attend
to that gentleman.

Old Clinton, on his way to Fethertonge's, met that worthy individual
riding into Ballymacan.

"I was going down to you," said he; "but where are you bound for?"

"Into town," replied the agent; "have you any objection to ride that
way?"

"None in the world; it is just the same to me. Well, how are matters
proceeding?"

"Not by any means well," replied the other, "I begin to feel something
like alarm. I wish we had those M'Mahons out of the country. Vanston
has paid that d--d goose Chevydale a visit, and I fear that unless the
Ahadarra man and his father, and the whole crew of them, soon leave the
country, we shall break down in our object."

"Do you tell me so?" said the gauger, starting; "by Jove, it is well I
know this in time."

"I don't und