ust be cared for! It would
not do for one in Mr. Cashel's station to form his associates only among
those whose agreeability is their recommendation."

"Then let him know the Dean, mamma," said Miss Kennyfeck, slyly.

"Yes, my dear," rejoined Mrs. Kennyfeck, not detecting the sarcasm, "I
cannot fancy one more capable of affording judicious counsel. You spoke
about ordering plate, Mr. Cashel; but of course you will apply to Storr
and Mortimer. Everything is so much better in London; otherwise, here we
are at Leonard's."

The carriage drove up, as she spoke, to the door of a very
splendid-looking shop, where in all the attractive display modern taste
has invented, plate and jewellery glittered and dazzled.

"It was part of Mr. Kennyfeck's counsel this morning," said Cashel,
"that I should purchase anything I want in Ireland, so far, at least, as
practicable; so, if you will aid me in choosing, we 'll take the present
opportunity."

Mrs. Kennyfeck was overjoyed at the bare mention of such an occasion of
display, and sailed into the shop with an air that spoke plain as words
themselves, "I'm come to make your fortune." So palpable, indeed, was
the manner of her approach, that the shopman hastily retired to seek
the proprietor of the establishment,--a little pompous man, with a bald
head,--who, having a great number of "bad debts" among his high
clients, had taken to treating great folk with a very cool assumption of
equality.

"Mr. Cashel is come to look about some plate, Mr. Leonard. Let us see
your book of drawings; and have you those models you made for Lord
Kellorane?"

"We have better, ma'am," said Leonard. "We have the plate itself. If you
will step upstairs. It is all laid out on the tables. The fact is"--here
he dropped his voice--"his lordship's marriage with Miss Fenchurch is
broken off, and he will not want the plate, and we have his orders to
sell it at once."

"And is that beautiful pony-phaeton, with the two black Arabians, to
be sold?" asked Miss Kennyfeck, eagerly. "He only drove them once, I
think."

"Yes, madam, everything: they are all to be auctioned at Dycer's
to-day."

"At what hour?" inquired Cashel.

"At three, precisely, sir."

"Then it wants but five minutes of the time," said Cashel, looking at
his watch.

"But the plate, sir? Such an opportunity may never occur again," broke
in Leonard, fearful of seeing his customer depart unprofitably.

"Oh, to be sure. Let us see it," said