rried her when she was rather falling into the yellow leaf;
and though Mr. Hyacinth Keegan was always on perfectly good and
confidential terms with his respected father-in-law, report in
Carrick on Shannon declared, that great battles took place beside
the attorney's fireside, as to who was to have dominion in the house.
The lady's temper also might be a little roused by the ill-natured
reports which reached her ears, that her handsome Hyacinth lavished
more of his attentions and gallantry abroad than at home. Such was
the visitor who now came to call at Ballycloran.

Mr. Macdermot was very much surprised, for Mr. Keegan's business with
Ballycloran was never done by personal visits. If money was received,
Thady used to call and pay it at Keegan's office; if other steps
were to be taken, he employed one of those messengers, so frequently
unwelcome at the houses of the Connaught gentry, and this usually
ended in Thady calling at Mr. Keegan's for a fresh bill for his
father to sign. Old Macdermot was therefore so surprised that he knew
not how to address his visitor. This, together with his hatred of
the man, and his customary inability to do or say anything, made him
so perplexed that he could not comprehend Mr. Keegan's first words,
which were not only conciliatory and civil, but almost affectionate.

"Ah! Mr. Macdermot, how do you do--how d'ye do? I'm glad to see
you--very glad to see you--looking so well too. Why, what a time it
is since I last had the pleasure--but then I'm so tied by the leg--so
much business, Mr. Macdermot; indeed, though I was determined to drop
in this morning as a friend, still even now I've just a word to say
on business. You see I must join business and pleasure; so if you
are not very much engaged, and could spare a minute or two, why I
have a little proposal to make to you--acting for Mr. Flannelly you
know--which I think you'll not be sorry to hear."

The attorney had been obliged to begin his story thus far in the
hall--as the old man had shown no inclination to ask him into the
parlour: nor did Larry even now move from the door; and, indeed, he
did not look as though he was a fit subject to enter on business with
an attorney. He had not shaved, or rather been shaved, since Sunday
last; his eyes, though wide open, looked as if they had very lately
been asleep, and were not quite awake; his clothes were huddled on
him, and hung about him almost in tatters; the slaver was running
down from