and powdered servants were all
gone too, so was the rich air of wealth and costly luxury which formerly
breathed throughout his fine mansion, in one of the most fashionable
streets of the metropolis. His eye, no longer loaded by the bloodshot
symptoms of an over-fed and plethoric constitution, was now clear and
intellectual, and there appeared to be an unencumbered activity about
his jaws that argued a vigor and quickness of execution in matters of
a sumptuary character, which, when gross and unwieldy from luxury, they
never could reach. He was by no means in his usual spirits, it is true,
but then he was in much better health, and a vague report of something
in the shape of a loan to the clergy, to the tune of a million, gave him
a considerable degree of cheerfulness.

John Purcel, having dispatched his business with him as quickly as he
could, called upon M'Carthy in college. This gentleman having, in fact,
heard such an account of the threats and determinations of vengeance
with which the Purcel family were threatened, had felt deep anxiety as
to their fate. He had written more than once to them on the subject,
entreating that, as their wealth had rendered them independent, they
would remove either to Lisnagola or Dublin. This, however, was a
determination to which they had come recently themselves, and one
portion of John's business to the metropolis was connected with it.

On the day previous to Purcel's visit to M'Carthy, that young man had
received the following short and somewhat mysterious communication from
the country:--

"Mr. M'Carthy.--Sir--If you wish to save some of Mr. Purcel's
family--save them all you cannot--and if you have courage, and isn't
afraid to risk your life, you will come down to Longshot Lodge and wait
there till you here more from 'One that has proved himself your Friend'."

This determined M'Carthy; and when John Purcel asked him to spend the
Christmas with them, he felt gratified at the alacrity with which the
other embraced his offer. The next morning they started for Longshot
Lodge, and in due time were cordially greeted by the proctor and his
family.

The day before Christmas--universally known as Christmas Eve--at length
arrived. On that morning, our friend Mr. Temple and his family were
seated at breakfast with easy and cheerful hearts, when the following
conversation took place; and we introduce it for the purpose of
gratifying our readers, who, we are certain, will rejoice in