was speaking about what Abraham
has been doing in Ireland."

"Oh dear, oh dear!" said poor Mollett. "The unfortunate young man;
that wretched, unfortunate, young man! He will bring me to the grave
at last--to the grave at last."

"Come, Mr. Mollett," said Mr. Prendergast, now getting up and
standing with his back to the fire, "I do not know that you and I
need beat about the bush much longer. I suppose I may speak openly
before these ladies as to what has been taking place in county Cork."

"Sir!" said Mr. Mollett, with a look of deprecation about his mouth
that ought to have moved the lawyer's heart.

"I know nothing about it," said Mrs. Mollett, very stiffly.

"Yes, mother, we do know something about it; and the gentleman may
speak out if it so pleases him. It will be better, father, for you
that he should do so."

"Very well, my dear," said Mr. Mollett, in the lowest possible voice;
"whatever the gentleman likes--only I do hope--" and he uttered a
deep sigh, and gave no further expression to his hopes or wishes.

"I presume, in the first place," began Mr. Prendergast, "that this
lady here is your legal wife, and this younger lady your legitimate
daughter? There is no doubt I take it as to that?"

"Not--any--doubt--in the world, sir," said the Mrs. Mollett, who
claimed to be so de jure. "I have got my marriage lines to show, sir.
Abraham's mother was dead just six months before we came together;
and then we were married just six months after that."

"Well, Mr. Mollett; I suppose you do not wish to contradict that?"

"He can't, sir, whether he wish it or not," said Mrs. Mollett.

"Could you show me that--that marriage certificate?" asked Mr.
Prendergast.

Mrs. Mollett looked rather doubtful as to this. It may be, that much
as she trusted in her husband's reform, she did not wish to let him
know where she kept this important palladium of her rights.

"It can be forthcoming, sir, whenever it may be wanted," said Mary
Mollett the younger; and then Mr. Prendergast, seeing what was
passing through the minds of the two women, did not press that matter
any further.

"But I should be glad to hear from your own lips, Mr. Mollett, that
you acknowledge the marriage, which took place at--at Fulham, I think
you said, ma'am?"

"At Putney, sir; at Putney parish church, in the year of our Lord
eighteen hundred and fourteen."

"Ah, that was the year before Mr. Mollett went into Dorsetshire."

"Yes, sir. He didn't