so is my young friend here; and if the thing can be
accomplished, we will get it done for you.'

Lord Colambre joined in this promise, and added that, 'if the dog
could be obtained, he would undertake to have him safely sent over to
England.'

'Sir--gentlemen! I'm much obliged; that is, when you have done the
thing I shall be much obliged. But, maybe, you are only making me civil
speeches!'

'Of that, sir,' said the count, smiling with much temper, 'your own
sagacity and knowledge of the world must enable you to judge.'

'For my own part, I can only say,' cried Lord Colambre, 'that I am
not in the habit of being reproached with saying one thing and meaning
another.'

'Hot! I see,' said old Reynolds, nodding, as he looked at Lord Colambre.
'Cool!' added he, nodding at the count. 'But a time for everything; I
was hot once--both answers good, for their ages.'

This speech Lord Colombre and the count tacitly agreed to consider as
another APART, which they were not to hear, or seem to hear. The count
began again on the business of their visit, as he saw that Lord Colambre
was boiling with impatience, and feared that he should BOIL OVER, and
spoil all. The count commenced with--

'Mr. Reynolds, your name sounds to me like the name of a friend; for
I had once a friend of that name; I had once the pleasure (and a very
great pleasure it was to me) to be intimately acquainted abroad, on the
Continent, with a very amiable and gallant youth--your son!'

'Take care, sir,' said the old man, starting up from his chair,
and instantly sinking down again--'take care! Don't mention him to
me--unless you would strike me dead on the spot!'

The convulsed motions of his fingers and face worked for some moments;
whilst the count and Lord Colambre, much shocked and alarmed, stood in
silence.

The convulsed motions ceased; and the old man unbuttoned his waistcoat,
as if to relieve some sense of expression; uncovered his gray hairs;
and, after leaning back to rest himself, with his eyes fixed, and
in reverie for a few moments, he sat upright again in his chair, and
exclaimed, as he looked round--

'Son!--Did not somebody say that word? Who is so cruel to say that word
before me? Nobody has ever spoken of him to me--but once, since his
death! Do you know, sir,' said he, fixing his eyes on Count O'Halloran,
and laying his cold hand on him, 'do you know where he was buried, I ask
you, sir? do you remember how he died?'

'Too well! t