man? Am I right?"

"I may go that far, any way," replied the fellow, with a knowing grin;
"but I don't lave you much the wiser."

"No, faith, you don't," replied Norton, grinning in his turn. "However,
listen to me. Do you not think, now, that if you placed your case in the
hands of some one that stands well with his lordship, and who could use
his influence in your behalf, you might have better success?"

"I'm the best judge of that myself," replied M'Bride. "As it is, I
have, or can have, two strings to my bow. I have only to go to a certain
person, and say I'm sorry for what I've done, and I've no doubt but I'd
come well off."

"Well, and why don't you? If I were in your case, I'd consider myself
first, though."

"I don't know," replied the other, as if undecided. "I think, afther
all, I'm in better hands. Unless Lord Cullamore is doting, I'm sure of
that fact. I don't intend to remain in this counthry. I'll go back to
France or to America; I can't yet say which."

"Take your punch in the meantime; take off your liquor, I say, and it'll
clear your head. Come, off with it. I don't know why, but I have taken
a fancy to you. Your face is an honest one, and if I knew what your
business with his lordship is, I'd give you a lift."

"Thank you, sir," replied the other; "but the truth is, I'm afeard to
take much till after I see him. I must have all my wits about me, and
keep myself steady."

"Do put it in my power to serve you. Tell me what your business is, and,
by the honor of my name, I'll assist you."

"At present," replied M'Bride, "I can't; but if I could meet you after I
see his lordship, I don't say but we might talk more about it."

"Very well," replied Norton; "you won't regret it. In the course of a
short time I shall have the complete management of the whole Cullamore
property; and who can say that, if you put confidence in me now, I may
not have it in my power to employ you beneficially for yourself?"

"Come then, sir," replied M'Bride, "let me have another tumbler, on the
head of it. I think one more will do me no harm; as you say, sir, it'll
clear my head."

This was accordingly produced, and M'Bride began to become, if not more
communicative, at least more loquacious, and seemed disposed to place
confidence in Norton, to whom, however, he communicated nothing of
substantial importance.

"I think," said the latter, "if I don't mistake, that I am acquainted
with some of your relations."

"Tha