girl, as that which you are not, I would consider it my duty to acquaint
Sir Thomas Gourlay with the unfortunate discovery which has been made.
Before you go I will thank you to read that letter for me. It comes,
I think, from the Lord Chancellor. My sight is very feeble to-day, and
perhaps it may require a speedy answer."

Dunroe opened the letter, which informed Lord Cullamore, that it
had afforded him, the Lord Chancellor, much satisfaction to promote
Periwinkle Crackenfudge, Esq., to the magistracy of the county of
------, understanding, as he did, from the communication "of Sir Thomas
Gourlay, enclosed in his lordship's letter, that he (Crackenfudge)
was, by his many virtues, good sense, discretion, humanity, and general
esteem among all classes, as well as by his popularity in the country, a
person in every way fitted to discharge the important duties of such an
appointment.

"I feel my mind at ease," said the amiable old nobleman, "in aiding such
an admirable country gentleman as this Crackenfudge must be, to a seat
on the bench; for, after all, Dunroe, it is only by the contemplation of
a good action that we can be happy. You may go."

Some few days passed, when Dunroe, having read the papers, the contents
of which he did not wish Norton to see, returned them to his father
in sullen silence, and then rang his bell, and sent for his worthy
associate, that he might avail himself of his better judgment.

"Norton," said he, "it is all up with us."

"How is that, my lord?"

"Those papers, that M'Bride says he lost, are in the hands of our
enemies."

"Don't believe it, my lord.' I saw the fellow yesterday, and he told me
that he destroyed them in a drunken fit, for which he says he is ready
to cut his throat."

"But I have read the opinion of my father's counsel," replied his
lordship, "and they say we have no defence. Now you know what a lawyer
is: if there were but a hair-breadth chance, they would never make an
admission that might keep a good fat case from getting into their hands.
No; it is all up with us. The confounded old fool above had everything
laid before them, and such is the upshot. What is to be done?"

"Marriage, without loss of time--marriage, before your disaster reaches
the ears of the Black Baronet."

"Yes, but there is a difficulty. If the venerable old nobleman should
hear of it, he'd let the cat out of the bag, and leave me in the
lurch, in addition to the penalty of a three hours'