e thousand a year?"

"I am not forgetting it; I was going to it when you stopped me. Until we
have failed in obtaining our terms from Lord Lackington--"

"Ay, but what are the terms?" broke in Driscoll, eagerly.

"If you interrupt me thus at every moment, I shall never be able to
explain my meaning. The terms are for yourself to name; you may write
the figures how you please. As for me, I have views that in no way clash
with yours. And to resume: until we fail with the Viscount, we have no
need of the soldier. All that we have to think of as regards Conway
is, that he falls into no hands but our own, that he should never learn
anything of his claim, nor be within reach of such information till the
hour when we ourselves think fit to make it known to him--"

"He oughtn't to keep company with that daughter of Paul Kellett, then,"
broke in Driscoll. "There's not a family history in the kingdom she
hasn't by heart."

"I have thought of that already, and there is some danger of such an
occurrence."

"As how?"

"Young Conway is at this very moment plotting how she may be
domesticated with his mother, somewhere in Wales, I believe."

"If he's in love with her, it will be a bad business," said Driscoll.
"She does be reading and writing, too, from morning till night. There's
no labor nor fatigue she's not equal to, and all the searches and
inquiries that weary others she'd go into out of pure amusement. Now, if
she was ever to be with his mother, and heard the old woman talk about
family history, she 'd be at it hard and fast next morning."

"There is no need she should go there."

"No. But she must n't go,--must never see her."

"I think I can provide for that. It will be somewhat more difficult
to take him out of the way for the present. I wish he were back in the
Crimea."

"He might get killed--"

"Ay, but his claim would not die. Look here, Driscoll," said he, slowly;
"I ventured to tell him this morning that I would assist him with my
influence if he wishes to re-enter the service as an officer, and he
resented the offer at once as a liberty. Now, it might be managed in
another way. Leave me to think it over, and perhaps I can hit upon
the expedient. The Attorney-General is to report upon the claims to me
to-morrow, next day I'm to see Conway himself, and then you shall learn
all."

"I don't like all these delays," began Driscoll; but at a look from Dunn
he stopped, and held down his head, half angry, half