l be the better for us both."

"I'll keep your' saicret," replied honest Morty, "so long, Barney--hem!
Mr. Norton--as you keep yourself honest; but I'll dirty my hands wid
none o' your money. If I was willin' to betray you, it's not a bribe
would prevent me."

Mr. Norton, in a few moments, was ushered into the presence of Lord
Cullamore.

On entering the apartment, the old nobleman, with easy and native
courtesy, rose up, and received him with every mark of attention and
respect.

"I am happy, Mr. Norton," he proceeded, "to have it in my power to thank
you for the friendship and kindness which my son, Lord Dunroe, has been
so fortunate as to receive at your hands. He speaks of you with such
warmth, and in terms of such high esteem, that I felt naturally anxious
to make your acquaintance, as his friend. Pray be seated."

Norton, who was a quick and ready fellow, in more senses than one, bowed
lowly, and with every mark of the deepest respect; but, at the same
time, he certainly started upon a high and a rather hazardous theory--to
wit, that of a man of consequence, who wished to be considered with
respect to Dunroe rather as a patron than a dependent.

The fellow, we should have stated to the reader, was originally from
Kerry, though he adopted Connaught, and consequently had a tolerable
acquaintance with Latin and Greek--an acquisition which often stood him
in stead through life; joined to which was an assurance that nothing
short of a scrutiny such as Morty O'Maherty's could conquer.

"I assure you, my lord," he replied, "you quite overrate any trifling
services I may have rendered to my friend Dunroe. Upon my soul and honor
you do. I have done nothing for him--that is, nothing to speak of. But
the truth is, I took a fancy to Dunroe; and I do assure you again, Lord
Cullamore, that when I do take a fancy to any person--a rare case with
me, I grant--I would go any possible lengths to serve him. Every man has
his whim, my lord, and that is mine. I hope your lordship had a pleasant
trip across Channel?"

"Yes, thank you, Mr. Norton; but I have been for some time past in
delicate health, and am not now so capable of bearing the trip as
formerly. Still I feel no reason to complain, although far from strong.
Dunroe, I perceive, is reduced considerably by his wound and the
consequent confinement."

"Oh, naturally, of course, my lord; but a few days now will set him upon
his legs."

"That, it seems to me, Mr. Norto