. What do the rascals think to bribe me with, eh?
Tell me that."

"You persist in misunderstanding me, sir. I do not come from the
Government; I would not presume to wait on you in such a cause!"

"What's the peerage to me? I have no descendants to profit by my infamy.
I cannot barter my honor for my children's greatness! I 'm prouder with
that old hat on my head than with the coronet; tell them that. Tell
them that Joe Curtis was the only man in all Ireland they never could
purchase; tell them that when I had an estate I swore to prosecute for a
poacher their ducal Viceroy if he shot a snipe over my lands; and that I
'm the same man now I was then!"

Crowther sighed heavily, like one who has a wearisome task before him,
but must go through with it.

"If I could but persuade you, sir, to believe that my business here has
no connection with politics whatever; that the Castle has nothing to do
with it--"

"Ay, I see," cried Curtis, "it's Lord Charlemont sent you. It 's no
use; I 'll have nothing to say to any of them. He's too fond of Castle
dinners and Castle company for me! I never knew any good come of the
patriotism that found its way up Corkhill at six o'clock of an evening!"

"Once for all, Mr. Curtis, I say that what brought me here this morning
was to show you that Mr. Fagan would be willing to surrender all claim
against you for outstanding liabilities, and besides to settle on you a
very handsome annuity, in consideration of some concessions on your part
with respect to a property against which he has very large claims."

"What's the annuity,--how much?" cried Curtis, hastily.

"What sum would you yourself feel sufficient, sir? He empowered me to
consult your own wishes and expectations on the subject."

"If I was to say a thousand a-year, for instance?" said Curtis, slowly.

"I'm certain he would not object, sir."

"Perhaps if I said two, he 'd comply?"

"Two thousand pounds a-year is a large income for a single man," replied
Crowther, sententiously.

"So it is; but I could spend it. I spent eight thousand a-year once in
my life, and when my estate was short of three! and that 's what comes
of it;" and he gave the settle-bed a rude kick as he spoke. "Would he
give two? That's the question, Crowther: would he give two?"

"I do not feel myself competent to close with that offer, Mr. Curtis;
but if you really think that such a sum is necessary--"

"I do,--I know it; I could n't do with a shilling