never forgive. However, that is more your
lookout than mine. A last word, though: if you were not the consummate
idiots this last revolt has proved you, you would see how you are being
led astray by a few demagogues (a butcher's boy, perchance, or an
attorney's clerk pushed by you from absolute obscurity into a
Parliament ashamed to acknowledge them), who will save their skins at
the expense of yours at the last, and who meanwhile thrive royally upon
the moneys you subscribe!"

"That's a damned lie for ye," says Donovan losing his temper altogether.

At this outbreak The Desmond rises slowly, and, ringing the bell, calmly
pares his nails until a servant comes in answer to his summons.

"Ask Mr. Brian to come here for a moment," he says, calmly, not lifting
his eyes from the fourth finger of his left hand, upon the nail of which
he is just now employed.

Brian lounging in, in a few moments, his uncle pockets his penknife,
and, waving his hand lightly in Donovan's direction, says, gravely,--

"This man, Donovan, will be one of your tenants, some time,
Brian,"--plainly, he has forgotten all about his determination to marry
again, and so dispossess his nephew of Coole and other things, or else
one glance at Monica's portrait (in which she had appeared so _unlike_
her mother) has done wonders: "it is therefore as well you should learn
his sentiments towards his landlord, especially as he is apparently the
mouthpiece of all the others. Oblige me, Donovan, by repeating to Mr.
Brian all you have just said to me."

But the man is far too clever a lawyer to commit himself before a third
party.

"I have nothing to say," he answers, sullenly, "but this, that times are
hard an' money scarce, an'----"

"We will pass over all that. It is an old story now; and, as you decline
to speak, I will just tell you again, I intend to have my rent on
Monday, and if I don't I shall evict you."

"Ay! as you evicted Ned Barry last month, throwing him on the open road,
with his wife beside him, an' a baby not a month old."

"Nonsense! the child was six months old, and Barry was better able to
pay than any tenant I have, and more willing, too, until this precious
Land League tampered with him. He has proved he had the money since, by
paying a sum to Sullivan yonder for board and lodging that would have
kept him in his own house for twice the length of time he has been
there. I know all about it: I have made it my business to find it out."