tion would be done to his table-cloth.

"Thank you, I have breakfasted," said Mr. Prendergast.

"And so 'ave I," said Aby, who had eaten a penny loaf in the car, and
would have been delighted to sit down at that rich table. But he was
a little beside himself, and not able to pluck up courage for such an
effort.

"I don't know whether you two gentlemen have come about the same
business," said Owen, looking from one to the other.

"No," said Mr. Prendergast, very confidently, but not very correctly.
"I wish to speak to you, Mr. Fitzgerald, for a few minutes: but my
business with you is quite private."

"So is mine," said Aby, "very private; very private indeed."

"Well, gentlemen, I have just half an hour in which to eat my
breakfast, attend to business, get on my horse and leave the house.
Out of that twenty-five minutes are very much at your service.
Donnellan, I beg your pardon. Do pitch into the broiled bones while
they are hot; never mind me. And now, gentlemen, if you will walk
with me into the other room. First come first served: that I suppose
should be the order." And he opened the door and stood with it ajar
in his hand.

"I will wait, Mr. Fitzgerald, if you please," said Mr. Prendergast;
and as he spoke he motioned Mollett with his hand to go to the door.

"Oh! I can wait, sir; I'd rather wait, sir. I would indeed," said
Aby. "My business is a little particular; and if you'll go on, sir,
I'll take up with the gen'leman as soon as you've done, sir."

But Mr. Prendergast was accustomed to have his own way. "I should
prefer that you should go first, sir. And to tell the truth, Mr.
Fitzgerald, what I have to say to you will take some time. It is of
much importance, to yourself and to others; and I fear that you will
probably find that it will detain you from your amusement to-day."

Owen looked black as he heard this. The hounds were going to draw
a covert of his own; and he was not in the habit of remaining away
from the drawing of any coverts, belonging to himself or others,
on any provocation whatever. "That will be rather hard," said he,
"considering that I do not know any more than the man in the moon
what you've come about."

"You shall be the sole judge yourself, sir, of the importance of my
business with you," said Mr. Prendergast.

"Well, Mr.-- I forget your name," said Owen.

"My name's Mollett," said Aby. Whereupon Mr. Prendergast looked up
at him very sharply, but he said nothing.--He sa