otatoes off my own estate: I had to watch Lady Lyndon within, and
the bailiffs without. For the last two years, since I went to Dublin
to receive money (which I unluckily lost at play there, to the
disappointment of my creditors), I did not venture to show in that city:
and could only appear at our own county town at rare intervals, and
because I knew the sheriffs: whom I swore I would murder if any ill
chance happened to me. A chance of a good loan, then, was the most
welcome prospect possible to me, and I hailed it with all the eagerness
imaginable.

In reply to Lady Lyndon's letter, came, in course of time, an answer
from the confounded London merchants, stating that if her Ladyship
would confirm by word of mouth, at their counting-house in Birchin Lane,
London, the statement of her letter, they, having surveyed her property,
would no doubt come to terms; but they declined incurring the risk of
a visit to Castle Lyndon to negotiate, as they were aware how other
respectable parties, such as Messrs. Sharp and Salmon of Dublin,
had been treated there. This was a hit at me; but there are certain
situations in which people can't dictate their own terms: and, 'faith,
I was so pressed now for money, that I could have signed a bond with Old
Nick himself, if he had come provided with a good round sum.

I resolved to go and take the Countess to London. It was in vain that
my mother prayed and warned me. 'Depend on it,' says she, 'there is some
artifice. When once you get into that wicked town, you are not safe.
Here you may live for years and years, in luxury and splendour, barring
claret and all the windows broken; but as soon as they have you in
London, they'll get the better of my poor innocent lad; and the first
thing I shall hear of you will be, that you are in trouble.'

'Why go, Redmond?' said my wife. 'I am happy here, as long as you are
kind to me, as you are now. We can't appear in London as we ought; the
little money you will get will be spent, like all the rest has been.
Let us turn shepherd and shepherdess, and look to our flocks and be
content.' And she took my hand and kissed it; while my mother only said,
'Humph! I believe she's at the bottom of it--the wicked SCHAMER!'

I told my wife she was a fool; bade Mrs. Barry not be uneasy, and was
hot upon going: I would take no denial from either party. How I was to
get the money to go was the question; but that was solved by my good
mother, who was always ready to