ch a sum as that at a week's warning?"

"Indeed, I have no doubt as to your being able to do so: it may be
another question whether you are willing."

"I am not--I am not able," said the libelled father. "As you know well
enough, the incumbrances on the property take more than a quarter of my
income."

"There can, nevertheless, be no doubt of your being able to have the
money, and that at once, if you chose to go into the market for it. I
have no doubt but that Mr Jervis could get it for you at once at five
per cent."

"Four thousand a-year gone for ever from the property!--and what
security am I to have that the same sacrifice will not be again
incurred, after another lapse of four years?"

"You can have no security, my lord, against my being in debt. You can,
however, have every security that you will not again pay my debts, in
your own resolution. I trust, however, that I have some experience to
prevent my again falling into so disagreeable a predicament. I think I
have heard your Lordship say that you incurred some unnecessary
expenses yourself in London, before your marriage!"

"I wish, Kilcullen, that you had never exceeded your income more than
I did mine. But it is no use talking any further on this subject. I
cannot, and I will not--I cannot in justice either to myself or to you,
borrow this money for you; nor, if I could, should I think it right to
do so."

"Then what the devil's the use of talking about it so long?" said the
dutiful son, hastily jumping up from the chair in which he had again
sat down. "Did you bring me down to Grey Abbey merely to tell me that
you knew of my difficulties, and that you could do nothing to assist
me?"

"Now, don't put yourself into a passion--pray don't!" said the father,
a little frightened by the sudden ebullition. "If you'll sit down, and
listen to me, I'll tell you what I propose. I did not send for you
here without intending to point out to you some method of extricating
yourself from your present pecuniary embarrassment; and, if you have
any wish to give up your course, of--I must say, reckless profusion,
and commence that upright and distinguished career, which I still hope
to see you take, you will, I think, own that my plan is both a safer
and a more expedient one than that which you have proposed. It is quite
time for you now to abandon the expensive follies of youth; and,"--Lord
Cashel was getting into a delightfully dignified tone, and felt himself
prepa