th a very English accent, which
no one could adopt, when he pleased, with more success than our
Kerry boy--"if I don't mistake, we both made a journey to France very
recently?"
"That may be, sir," replied Birney, "but I am not aware of it."
"But I am, though," tipping Birney the London cockney.
"Well, sir," said Birney, very coolly, "and what follows from that?"
"Why haw--haw--I don't exactly know at present; but I think a good
dee-al may follow from it."
"As how, sir?"
"I believe you were over there on matters connected with Lord
Cullamore's family--haw?"
"Sir," replied Birney, "you are a perfect stranger to me--I haven't the
honor of knowing you. If you are coming to me on anything connected with
my professional services, I will thank you to state it."
"Haw!--My name is Norton, a friend of Lord Dunroe's."
"Well, Mr. Norton, if you will have the goodness to mention the business
which causes me the honor of your visit, I will thank you; but I beg to
assure you, that I am not a man to be pumped either by Lord Dunroe or
any of his friends. You compel me to speak very plainly, sir."
"Haw! Very good--very good indeed! but the truth his, I've given
Dunroe hup."
"Well, sir, and how is that my affair? What interest can I feel in your
quarrels? Personally I know very little of Lord Dunroe, and of you, sir,
nothing."
"Haw! but everything 'as a beginning, Mr. Birney."
"At this rate of going, I fear we shall be a long time ending, Mr.
Norton."
"Well," replied Norton, "I believe you are right; the sooner we
understand each other, the better."
"Certainly, sir," replied Birney; "I think so, if you have any business
of importance with me."
"Well, I rayther think you will find it important--that is, to your own
interests. You are an attorney, Mr. Birney, and I think you will admit
that every man in this world, as it goes, ought to look to 'is own
interests."
Birney looked at him, and said, very gravely, "Pray, sir, what is your
business with me? My time, sir, is valuable. My time is money--a portion
of my landed property, sir."
"Haw! Very good; but you Hirish are so fiery and impatient! However, I
will come to the point. You are about to joust that young scamp, by the
way, out of the title and property. I say so, because I am up to the
thing. Yet you want dockiments to establish your case--haw?"
"Well, sir, and suppose we do; you, I presume, as the friend of Lord
Dunroe, are not coming to fu
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