e was poked, and the chairs were drawn together over the
rug, there were no further preliminaries which could be decently
introduced, and the earl was therefore forced to commence.

"Well, Kilcullen, I'm glad you're come to Grey Abbey. I'm afraid,
however, we shan't induce you to stay with us long, so it's as well
perhaps to settle our business at once. You would, however, greatly
oblige your mother, and I'm sure I need not add, myself, if you could
make your arrangements so as to stay with us till after Easter. We
could then return together."

"Till after Easter, my lord! I should be in the Hue and Cry before that
time, if I was so long absent from my accustomed haunts. Besides I
should only put out your own arrangements, or rather, those of Lady
Cashel. There would probably be no room for me in the family coach.".

"The family coach won't go, Lord Kilcullen. I am sorry to say, that the
state of my affairs at present renders it advisable that the family
should remain at Grey Abbey this season. I shall attend my
parliamentary duties alone."

This was intended as a hit the first at the prodigal son, but Kilcullen
was too crafty to allow it to tell. He merely bowed his head, and
opened his eyes, to betoken his surprise at such a decision, and
remained quiet.

"Indeed," continued Lord Cashel, "I did not even intend to have gone
myself, but the unexpected death of Harry Wyndham renders it necessary.
I must put Fanny's affairs in a right train. Poor Harry!--did you see
much of him during his illness?"

"Why, no--I can't say I did. I'm not a very good hand at doctoring or
nursing. I saw him once since he got his commission, glittering with
his gold lace like a new weather-cock on a Town Hall. He hadn't time to
polish the shine off."

"His death will make a great difference, as far as Fanny is
concerned--eh?"

"Indeed it will: her fortune now is considerable;--a deuced pretty
thing, remembering that it's all ready money, and that she can touch it
the moment she's of age. She's entirely off with Ballindine, isn't
she?"

"Oh, entirely," said the earl, with considerable self-complacency;
"that affair is entirely over."

"I've stated so everywhere publicly; but I dare say, she'll give him
her money, nevertheless. She's not the girl to give over a man, if
she's really fond of him."

"But, my dear Kilcullen, she has authorised me to give him a final
answer, and I have done so. After that, you know, it would be quite