od
themselves, as that worthy steward had deposited them before quitting his
master's service.

Peter's character, too, written out in Kate's hand, and only awaiting her
father's signature, was on the table--the first intimation Dick Kearney had
that old Gill had quitted his post.

'All this must have occurred to-day,' thought Dick; 'there were no
evidences of these changes when I left this morning! Was it the backwater
of my disgrace, I wonder, that has overwhelmed poor Gill?' thought he, 'or
can I detect Miss Betty's fine Roman hand in this incident?'

In proportion to the little love he bore Miss O'Shea, were his convictions
the stronger that she was the cause of all mischief. She was one of those
who took very 'utilitarian' notions of his own career, and he bore her
small gratitude for the solicitude. There were short sentences in pencil
along the margin of the chief book in Kate's handwriting which could not
fail to strike him as he read them, indicating as they did her difficulty,
if not utter incapacity, to deal with the condition of the estate. Thus:--

'There is no warranty for this concession. It cannot be continued.'--'The
notice in this case was duly served, and Gill knows that it was to papa's
generosity they were indebted for remaining.'--'These arrears have never
been paid, on that point I am positive!'--'Malone's holding was not
fairly measured, he has a just claim to compensation, and shall have
it.'--'Hannigan's right to tenancy must not be disputed, but cannot be used
as a precedent by others on the same part of the estate, and I will state
why.'--'More of Peter Gill's conciliatory policy! The Regans, for having
been twice in gaol, and once indicted, and nearly convicted of Ribbonism,
have established a claim to live rent-free! This I will promise to
rectify.'--'I shall make no more allowances for improvements without a
guarantee, and a penalty besides on non-completion.'

And last of all came these ominous words:--

'It will thus be seen that our rent-roll since '64 has been progressively
decreasing, and that we have only been able to supply our expenses by sales
of property. Dick must be spoken to on this, and at once.'

Several entries had been already rubbed out, and it was clear that she had
been occupied in the task of erasion on that very night. Poor girl! her
sleep was the heavy repose of one utterly exhausted; and her closely
clasped lips and corrugated brow showed in what frame of inte