uccessful
attempts to see him.

"It's no easy matter to get an audience of you," said Mark. "I have been
here I can't say how many times, always to hear Fenton lisp out. In the
bath sir."

"Yes. I usually take my siesta that way. With plenty of eau-de-Cologne
in it there 'a no weakening effect. Well, and what is going on here? any
people that I know? I suppose not."

"I don't think it very likely: they are all country families, except a
few refreshers from the garrison at Newry and Dundalk."

"And what do they do?"

"Pretty much the same sort of thing you 'd find in an English
country-house. There 's some not very good shooting. They make
riding-parties. They have archery when it's fine, and billiards when it
rains; but they always dine very well at seven, that much I can promise
you."

"Not such a cook as your father's, Lyle, I 'm certain."

"Perhaps not," said Mark, evidently flattered by the compliment. "But
the cellar here is unequalled. Do you know that in the mere shadowy
possibility of being one day her heir, I groan every time I see that
glorious Madeira placed on the table before a set of fellows that smack
their lips and say, 'It's good sherry, but a trifle too sweet for my
taste.'"

"And this same heritage,--how do the chances look?"

"I shall want your power of penetration to say that. One day the old
woman will take me aside and consult me about fifty things; and the next
she'll say, 'Perhaps we'd better make no changes, Mark. Heaven knows
what ideas they may have who 'll come after me.' She drives me half
distracted with these capricious turns."

"It is provoking, no doubt of it."

"I 'd not care so much if I thought it was to fall to Bella; though, to
be sure, no good-looking girl needs such a fortune as this. Do you know
that the timber thrown down by the late gales is worth eight thousand
pounds? and Harris the steward tells me it's not one fourth of what
ought to be felled for the sake of the young wood."

"And she has the whole and sole disposal of all this?"

"Every stick of it, and some six thousand acres besides!"

"I 'd marry her if I were you. I declare I would."

"Nonsense! this is a little too absurd."

"Amram married his aunt, and I never heard that she had such a dower;
not to say that the relationship in the present case is only a myth."

"Please to remember that she is about thirty years older than my
mother."

"I bear it most fully in mind, and I scout the vulgar im