cient owners of the entire estate, which was lost
by an act of confiscation in the year forty-five. Some extenuating
circumstances, however, induced the Government to confer upon a younger
branch of the family a lease of this small tract called Tubberbeg, to
distinguish it from Tubbermore, the larger portion; and this lease it is
whose expiration, in a few years, induces the present query."

"Has Mr. Corrigan children?"

"No; his only child, a daughter, is dead, but a granddaughter lives now
with the old man."

"Then what is it he asks? Is it a renewal of the lease, on the former
terms?"

"Why, not precisely. I believe he would be willing to-pay more."

"That's not what I mean," replied Cashel, reddening; "I ask, what terms
as to time, he seeks for. Would it content him to have the land for his
own life?"

"Mr. Kennyfeck, you are really very culpable to leave Mr. Cashel to the
decision of matters of this kind,--matters in which his kindliness of
heart and inexperience will always betray him into a forgetfulness of
his own interest. What has Mr. Cashel to think about this old creature's
ancestors, who were rebels, it appears, or his daughter, or his
granddaughter? Here is a simple question of a farm, which actually makes
the demesne worthless, and which, by a singular piece of good fortune,
is in Mr. Cashel's power to secure."

"This is a very correct view, doubtless," said her meek husband,
submissively, "but we should also remember--"

"We have nothing to remember," interrupted Mrs. Kenny-feck, stoutly;
"nothing, save his interests, who, as I have observed, is of too
generous a nature to be trusted with such matters."

"Is there no other farm,--have we nothing on the property he 'd like as
well as this?" asked Cashel.

"I fear not. The attachment to a place inhabited for centuries by his
ancestry--"

"By his fiddlestick!" struck in Mrs. Kennyfeck; "two and sixpence an
acre difference would be all the necessary compensation. Mr. Kennyfeck,
how can you trifle in this manner, when you know how it will injure the
demesne!"

"Oh, ruin it utterly!" exclaimed Miss Kennyfeck.

"It completely cuts off the beautiful river and those dear islands,"
said Olivia.

"So it does," said Cashel, musing.

"I wonder are they wooded? I declare I believe they are. Papa, are these
little scrubby things meant to represent trees?"

"Oaks and chestnut-trees," responded Mr. Kennyfeck, gravely.

"Oh, how I should love a cott