so
long in search of.

"How do you mean?" said Cashel, blushing deeply, as he began to fear
that by some accident his secret visit to the money-lender had reached
Kennyfeck's ears.

"Your drafts on Latrobe, sir, whose account I have received to-day, are
very heavy."

"Oh, is that all?" said Cashel, carelessly.

"All! all!" repeated Kennyfeck; then, suddenly correcting himself,
he added, "I am almost certain, sir, that your generous habits have
over-mastered your prudence. Are you aware of having drawn fifty
thousand pounds?"

"No, I really was not," replied Cashel, smiling more at the attorney's
look of consternation than anything else. "I fancied about half as much.
Pray tell me some of the items. No, no! not from book; that looks too
formal,--just from memory."

"Well, there are horses without number,--one bought with all his
engagements for the Oaks, which amount to a forfeiture of four thousand
pounds."

"I remember that,--a piece of Linton's blundering; but he lost more
heavily himself, poor fellow, our steed Lanz-knecht having turned out a
dead failure."

"Then there is something about a villa at Cowes, which I am certain you
never saw."

"No; but I have a drawing of it somewhere--a pretty thing under a cliff,
with a beautiful bay of deep water, and good anchorage. Linton knows all
about it."

"Twelve thousand pounds is a large sum to give without ever seeing the
purchase."

"So it is; but go on."

"I cannot remember one-half; but there is plate and jewels; sums
advanced for building; subscriptions to everything and everybody; a
heavy amount transmitted to the Havannah."

"Very true; and that reminds me of a letter which I received at the very
moment I was leaving home. Have I your leave to finish the reading? It
is from an old and valued comrade."

"Of course,--don't think of me for an instant," said Kennyfeck, scarcely
able to repress an open acknowledgment of his amazement at the
coolness which could turn from so interesting a topic to the, doubtless
commonplace, narrative of some Mexican sailor.

Cashel was, meanwhile, searching every pocket for the letter, which he
well remembered, after reading in the carriage, to have crushed in his
hand as he ascended the stairs. "I have dropped this letter," said he,
in a voice of great agitation. "May I ask if your servants have found
it?"

The bell was rung, and the butler at once interrogated. He had seen
nothing, neither had the footman. They