lass, the debts were reduced
nearly to one half of their former amount. Mordicai, who had been foiled
in his vile attempt to become sole creditor, had, however, a demand of
more than seven thousand pounds upon Lord Clonbrony, which he had raised
to this enormous sum in six or seven years, by means well known to
himself. He stood the foremost in the list, not from the greatness of
the sum, but from the danger of his adding to it the expenses of law.
Sir Terence undertook to pay the whole with five thousand pounds. Lord
Clonbrony thought it impossible; the solicitor thought it improvident,
because he knew that upon a trial a much greater abatement would
be allowed; but Lord Colambre was determined, from the present
embarrassments of his own situation, to leave nothing undone that could
be accomplished immediately.

Sir Terence, pleased with his commission, immediately went to Mordicai.

'Well, Sir Terence,' said Mordicai, 'I hope you are come to pay me my
hundred guineas; for Miss Broadhurst is married!'

'Well, Mister Mordicai, what then? The ides of March are come, but
not gone! Stay, if you plase, Mister Mordicai, till Lady-day, when it
becomes due; in the meantime, I have a handful, or rather an armful, of
bank-notes for you, from my Lord Colambre.'

'Humph!' said Mordicai; 'how's that? he'll not be of age these three
days.'

'Don't matter for that; he has sent me to look over your account, and to
hope that you will make some small ABATEMENT in the total.'

'Harkee, Sir Terence you think yourself very clever in things of this
sort, but you've mistaken your man; I have an execution for the whole,
and I'll be d--d if all your cunning shall MAKE me take up with part!'

'Be easy, Mister Mordicai!--you shan't make me break your bones, nor
make me drop one actionable word against your high character; for I know
your clerk there, with that long goose-quill behind his ear, would be
ready evidence again' me. But I beg to know, in one word, whether you
will take five thousand down, and GIVE Lord Clonbrony a discharge?'

'No, Mr. Terence! nor six thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine pounds.
My demand is L7130, odd shillings: if you have that money, pay it; if
not, I know how to get it, and along with it complete revenge for all
the insults I have received from that greenhorn, his son.'

'Paddy Brady!' cried Sir Terence,'do you hear that? Remember that word,
REVENGE!--Mind, I call you to witness!'

'What, sir, will yo