at my memoirs,
'Five Years of a Diplomatist on Service,' would be the more fitting
place; and in the pages of those volumes you will find revelations more
astounding, official knaveries more nefarious, and political intrigues
more Machiavellian, than the wildest imagination for wickedness has
ever conceived. What would they not have given rather than see such an
exposure? I almost think I will call my book '"Extraordinaries" of a
Diplomatist.' Sensational and taking both, that title! You mustn't
be provoked if, in one of the lighter chapters--there must be light
chapters--I stick in that little adventure of your own with my
godfather."

"Confound the fellow!" muttered Tony, and with such a hearty indignation
that his mother heard him from the adjoining room, and hastened in
to ask who or what had provoked him. Tony blundered out some sort of
evasive reply, and then said, "Was it Dr. Stewart's voice I heard there
a few minutes ago?"

"Yes, Tony; he called in as he was passing to Coleraine on important
business. The poor man is much agitated by an offer that has just been
made him to go far away over the seas, and finish his days, one may call
it, at the end of the world. Some of this country folk, it seems, who
settled in New Zealand, at a place they call Wellington Gap, had invited
him to go out there and minister among them; and though he 's not minded
to make the change at his advanced time of life, nor disposed to lay his
bones in a far-away land, yet for Dolly's sake--poor Dolly, who will be
left friendless and homeless when he is taken away--he thinks, maybe,
it's his duty to accept the offer; and so he's gone into the town to
consult Dr. M'Candlish and the elder Mr. Mc Elwain, and a few other
sensible men."

"Why won't Dolly marry the man she ought to marry,--a good true-hearted
fellow, who will treat her well and be kind to her? Tell me that,
mother."

"It mauna be,--it mauna be," said the old lady, who, when much moved,
frequently employed the Scotch dialect unconsciously.

"Is there a reason for her conduct?"

"There is a reason," said she, firmly.

"And do you know it? Has she told you what it is?"

"I'm not at liberty to talk over this matter with you, Tony. Whatever I
know, I know as a thing confided to me in honor."

"I only asked, Was the reason one that you yourself were satisfied
with?"

"It was, and is," replied she, gravely.

"Do you think, from what you know, that Dolly would listen to