ut and out; but perhaps you could
effect a loan in time--"

"Well, Mr. Keegan, what was it you said you had to propose?"

"What Mr. Flannelly proposes, you mean;--of course I'm only his
messenger now. What he proposes is this. You see, the property is so
unimproved, and bad--why, the house is tumbling down--it's enough to
kill your father, now he's getting a little infirm."

"Well, well, Mr. Keegan; what is it Mr. Flannelly wishes to do with
us?"

"Wishes to do?--oh, he doesn't wish anything, of course; the law is
open to him to get his own; in fact, the law would give him much more
than he wishes to take: but he proposes to buy Ballycloran himself."

"Buy Ballycloran!" screamed Larry.

"Well, well, father; let's hear what Mr. Keegan has to say.--Well,
Mr. Keegan, does he propose giving anything but what he has got
himself already?--or does he propose to take the estate for the
mortgage, and cry quits; so that father, and Feemy, and I, can walk
out just where we plaze?"

"Of course not, of course not. It's to make your father what he
thinks a fair offer that I'm come up; and it's what I'm sure you must
think is a generous offer."

"Well, out with it."

"Well then; what he proposes to do is, to settle an annuity on your
father for his life; and give you a sum of money down for yourself
and your sister."

"Let's hear what he offers," said Thady.

Larry, whose back was nearly turned to the chair where the attorney
was sitting, said nothing; but he gave an ominous look round, which
showed that he had heard what had passed. But it did not show that he
by any means approved of the proposition.

"I'm coming to that. You see the rent is mostly all swallowed up by
this mortgage. Now can you say you've L50 a year coming into the
house? I'm afraid not, Mr. Thady--I'm afraid not; and then all your
time is occupied in collecting it, and scraping it; and if it's true
what I hear--to be plain, I fear you'll hardly have the interest
money this November; and if you like Mr. Flannelly's proposal, he'll
give in that half year; so that you'd have something in hand to
begin. And how comfortable Mr. Macdermot would be in lodgings down at
Carrick; you've no idea how reasonable he might board there; say at
Dargan's for instance, for about ten shillings a week. And I'm very
glad, I can assure you, to hear of the very respectable match your
sister is making. Ussher is a very steady nice fellow, knows what's
what, and won't be le