nything that poor Terry could do, he'd
do, and welcome, without it; but he can do nothing.'

'Nothing!--that's very extraordinary. But I'm clear no one dare to
bring a real execution against us in earnest; and you are only trying to
frighten me to your purpose, like a child; but it shan't do.'

'Very well, my dear; you'll see--too late.'

A knock at the house door.

'Who is it?--What is it?' cried Lord Clonbrony, growing very pale.

Lord Colambre changed colour too, and ran downstairs. 'Don't let 'em
let anybody in, for your life, Colambre; under any pretence,' cried
Lord Clonbrony, calling from the head of the stairs; then running to the
window, 'By all that's good, it's Mordicai himself! and the people with
him.'

'Lean your head on me, my dear aunt,' said Miss Nugent. Lady Clonbrony
leant back, trembling, and ready to faint.

'But he's walking off now; the rascal could not get in--safe for the
present!' cried Lord Clonbrony, rubbing his hands, and repeating, 'safe
for the present!'

'Safe for the present!' repeated Lord Colambre, coming again into the
room. 'Safe for the present hour.'

'He could not get in, I suppose--oh, I warned all the servants well,'
said Lord Clonbrony,'and so did Terry. Ay, there's the rascal, Mordicai,
walking off, at the end of the street; I know his walk a mile off. Gad!
I can breathe again. I am glad he's gone. But he will come back and
always lie in wait, and some time or other, when we're off our guard
(unawares), he'll slide in.'

Slide in! Oh, horrid!' cried Lady Clonbrony, sitting up, and wiping away
the water which Miss Nugent had sprinkled on her face.

'Were you much alarmed?' said Lord Colambre, with a voice of tenderness,
looking at his mother first, but his eyes fixing on Miss Nugent.

'Shockingly!' said Lady Clonbrony; 'I never thought it would REELLY come
to this.'

'It will really come to much more, my dear,' said Lord Clonbrony, 'that
you may depend upon, unless you prevent it.'

'Lord! what can I do?--I know nothing of business; how should I, Lord
Clonbrony; but I know there's Colambre--I was always told that when he
was of age everything should be settled; and why can't he settle it when
he's upon the spot?'

'And upon one condition, I will,' cried Lord Colambre; 'at what loss to
myself, my dear mother, I need not mention.'

'Then I will mention it,' cried Lord Clonbrony; 'at the loss it will be
of nearly half the estate he would have had, if we had not