olence, sir, detained Mr. Cashel," interrupted
the doctor. "I believe no appointment can be broken with a safer
apology."

"Ho! ho!" said Linton, throwing up his eyebrows, as if he suspected a
snare to his friend's simplicity. "Which of the missions to convert the
blacks, or what family of continuous twins are you patronizing?"

"Good-bye, sir," said the doctor, turning towards Cashel. "I'd ask your
pardon for the liberty I have already taken with you, if I were not
about to transgress again." Here he looked Linton fully in the face.
"Mr. Cashel has done a kind and worthy action this morning, sir; but
if he does many more such, and keep your company, he is not only a good
man, but the strongest principled one I ever met with."

As the last word was uttered, the door closed after him, and he was
gone.

"So then, I 'm the Mephistopheles to your Faust," said Linton, laughing
heartily; "but what piece of credulous benevolence has cost you this
panegyric and me this censure?"

"Oh, a mere trifle," said Cashel, preparing to leave,--"a simple grant
of renewal to an old tenant on my estate."

"Only that," said Linton, affecting the coolest indifference, while by
a keen glance at Kennyfeck he revealed a profound consciousness of his
friend's simplicity.

"Nothing more, upon my honor; that little cottage of Tubber-beg."

"Not that fishing lodge beside the river, in an angle of your own
demesne?" asked Linton, eagerly.

"The same. Why, what of it?"

"Nothing, save that your magnanimity is but one-sided, since only so
late as Thursday last, when we looked over the map together, you gave me
that cottage until such time as you should include the farm within the
demesne."

"By Jupiter, and so I did!" exclaimed Cashel, while a flush of shame
covered his face and forehead; "what a confounded memory I have! What is
to be done?"

"Oh, never fret about it," said Linton, taking his arm, and leading him
away; "the thing is easily settled. What do I want with the cottage? The
old gentleman is, doubtless, a far more rural personage than I should
prove. Let us not forget Aubrey's breakfast, which, if we wait much
longer, will be a luncheon. The ladies well, Mr. Kennyfeck?" This was
the first time he had noticed that gentleman.

"Quite well, Mr. Linton," said he, bowing politely.

"Pray present my respects. By the way, you don't want a side-saddle
horse, do you?"

"I thank you, we are supplied."

"Whata pity! I 've got such