ghter, and make such
settlements upon her as shall be thought fitting--he is not a fool--the
man will close with the offer.'

O'Mara turned shortly upon Dwyer, and gazed upon him for a moment with
an expression of almost unmixed resentment.

'How,' said he at length, 'YOU contract to marry Ellen Heathcote? the
poor, innocent, confiding, light-hearted girl. No, no, Edward Dwyer, I
know you too well for that--your services, be they what they will, must
not, shall not go unrewarded--your avarice shall be appeased--but not
with a human sacrifice! Dwyer, I speak to you without disguise; you
know me to be acquainted with your history, and what's more, with your
character. Now tell me frankly, were I to do as you desire me, in cool
blood, should I not prove myself a more uncompromising and unfeeling
villain than humanity even in its most monstrous shapes has ever yet
given birth to?'

Dwyer met this impetuous language with the unmoved and impenetrable
calmness which always marked him when excitement would have appeared
in others; he even smiled as he replied: (and Dwyer's smile, for I have
seen it, was characteristically of that unfortunate kind which implies,
as regards the emotions of others, not sympathy but derision).

'This eloquence goes to prove Ellen Heathcote something nearer to your
heart than your great indifference would have led me to suppose.'

There was something in the tone, perhaps in the truth of the
insinuation, which at once kindled the quick pride and the anger of
O'Mara, and he instantly replied:

'Be silent, sir, this is insolent folly.'

Whether it was that Dwyer was more keenly interested in the success of
his suit, or more deeply disappointed at its failure than he cared to
express, or that he was in a less complacent mood than was his wont, it
is certain that his countenance expressed more emotion at this direct
insult than it had ever exhibited before under similar circumstances;
for his eyes gleamed for an instant with savage and undisguised ferocity
upon the young man, and a dark glow crossed his brow, and for the moment
he looked about to spring at the throat of his insolent patron; but the
impulse whatever it might be, was quickly suppressed, and before O'Mara
had time to detect the scowl, it had vanished.

'Nay, sir,' said Dwyer, 'I meant no offence, and I will take none, at
your hands at least. I will confess I care not, in love and soforth,
a single bean for the girl; she was the mer