horses stood. As they went, Father Finnerty
whispered to O'Shaughnessy:--

"Now, Denis, is your time. Strike while the iron is hot. Don't take
a penny!--don't take a fraction! Get into a passion, and swear you'll
shoot him unless he accepts him as a present. If he does, all's right;
he can twine the Bishop round his finger."

"I see, sir," said Denis; "I see! Let me alone for managin' him."

The barrister was already engaged in examining the horse's mouth, as is
usual, when the priest accosted him with--

"You are transgressing etiquette in this instance, Counsellor. You know
the proverb--never look a gift horse in the mouth."

"How, Mr. Finnerty?--a gift horse!"

"His Reverence is right!" exclaimed Denis: "the sorra penny ever will
cross my pocket for the same horse. You must take him as he stands, sir,
barrin' the bridle an' saddle, that's not my own."

"He will take no money," said the priest.

"Nonsense, my dear sir! Why not take a fair price for him?"

"Divil the penny will cross my pocket for him, the unlucky thief!"
replied the shrewd farmer.

"Then in that case the negotiation is ended," replied the barrister.
"I certainly will not accept him as a present. Why should I? What claim
have I on Mr. O'Shaughnessy?"

"I don't want you to take him," said Denis; "I want nobody to take him:
but I know the dogs of the parish 'll be pickin' his bones afore night.
You may as well have him, sir, as not."

"Is the man serious, Mr. Finnerty?"

"I never saw a man in my life having a more serious appearance, I assure
you," said the priest.

"By Jove, it's a queer business," replied the other: "a most
extraordinary affair as I ever witnessed! Why, it would be madness
to destroy such a fine animal as that! The horse is an excellent one!
However, I shall certainly not accept him, until I ascertain whether I
can prevail upon the bishop to elect his son to this vacancy. If I can
make the man no return for him, I shall let him go to the dogs."

"Go up and set to work," said the priest; "but remember that _tace_ is
Latin for a candle. Keep his lordship in the dark, otherwise this scion
is ousted."

"True," said the other. "In the meantime bring them into the parlor
until I try what can be done."

"Take the Bishop upon the father's affection for him," said the priest.

"You are right. I am glad you mentioned it."

"The poor man will break his heart," said the priest.

"He will," responded the Counsellor smiling.