al with
individuals of his class and country, he looked upon "Papistry" as
an abomination that ought to be removed from the land. Still, he was
cautious and shrewd, and seldom or never permitted those opinions to
interfere with or obstruct his own interests. Be this is it may, the
secret was not long kept. Esther Wilson impeached her master's loyalty,
and she herself was indignantly assailed for her treachery by Molly
Finigan, who hoped in her soul that her master and young mistress would
both die in the true Church yet.

The whole kitchen was in a buzz; in fact, a regular scene ensued. Every
one spoke, except Lanigan, who, from former experience, understood
the case perfectly; but, as for Malcomson, whose zeal on this occasion
certainly got the better of his discretion, he seemed thunderstruck.

"Eh, sirs! did ony one ever hear the like o' this?--to hide a rebel
priest frae the offended laws! But it canna be that this puir man is
athegether right in his head. Lord ha'e a care o' us! the man surely
must be demented, or he wouldna venture to bring such a person into his
ain house--into the vara house. I think, Maisther Lanigan, it wad be
just a precious bit o' service to religion and our laws to gang and tell
the next magistrate. Gude guide us! what an example he is settin' to
his loyal neighbors, and his hail connections! That ever we should see the
like o' this waefu' backsliding at his years! Lord ha'e a care o' us, I
say aince mair."

"Oh, but there's more to come," said one of them, for, in the turmoil
produced by this shocking intelligence, they had forgotten to deliver
the message to Lanigan.

"Mr. Lanigan," said Esther, and her breath was checked by a hysteric
hiccup, "Mr. Lanigan, you are to bring up the key of the green-room, and
plenty of venison, roast beef, and a bottle of wine! There!"

"Baal, Maisther Lanigan, I winna stay langer under this roof; it's nae
cannie; I'll e'en gang out, and ha'e some nonsense clavers wi' yon queer
auld carl i' the gerden. The Lord ha'e a eare o' us!--what will the
warld come to next!"

He accordingly repaired to the garden, where the first thing he did
was to give a fearful account to Reilly of their master's political
profligacy. The latter felt surprised, but not at all at Malcomson's
narrative. The fact was, he knew the exact circumstances of the case,
because he knew the squire's character, which was sometimes good, and
sometimes the reverse--just according to the h