ogue as I ever held in my life. Do you think now, that, provided you
had not taken--that is, stolen-these papers from your master, he would,
upon the success of the steps he is taking, have given you a thousand
pounds?"

The man hesitated, as if he had caught a glimpse of the old man's object
in putting the question. "Why--hem--no; I don't think I could expect
that, my lord; but a handsome present, I dare say, I might come in for."

Lord Cullamore raised himself in his chair, and after looking at the
treacherous villain with a calm feeling of scorn and indignation,
to which his illness imparted a solemn and lofty severity, that made
M'Bride feel as if he wished to sink through the floor,

"Go," said he, looking at him with an eye that was kindled into
something of its former fire. "Begone, sir: take away your papers;
I will not--I cannot enter into any compact with an ungrateful and
perfidious villain like you. These papers have come into your hands by
robbery or theft--that is sufficient; there they are, sir--take them
away. I shall defend myself and my rights upon principles of justice,
but never shall stoop to support them by dishonor."

On concluding, he flung them across the table with a degree of
energy that surprised M'Bride, whilst his color,hitherto so pale, was
heightened by a flash of that high feeling and untarnished integrity
which are seldom so beautifully impressive as when exhibited in the
honorable indignation of old age. It might have been compared to that
pale but angry red of the winter sky which flashes so transiently over
the snow-clad earth, when the sun, after the fatigues of his short but
chilly journey, is about to sink from our sight at the close of day.

M'Bride slunk out of the room crestfallen, disappointed, and abashed;
but on reaching the outside of the door he found Norton awaiting him.
This worthy gentleman, after beckoning to him to follow, having been
striving, with his whole soul centred in the key-hole, to hear the
purport of their conference, now proceeded to his own room, accompanied
by M'Bride, where we shall leave them without interruption to their
conversation and enjoyment, and return once more to Ginty Cooper.

Until the hour of half-past twelve that night Ginty most religiously
kept her watch convenient to the door. Just then it opened very quietly,
and a man staggered down the hall steps, and bent his course toward the
northern part of the city suburbs. A female might