ousand pounds more. I don't know anything I admire more than
a hundred thousand pounds, except two; but, upon my word, I wouldn't
take the money and the lady together."

"Well, that's kind of him, isn't it, Frank? So, you've a chance left,
yet."

"Ah! but you forget Morris," said Tierney; "and there's yourself, too.
If Ballindine is not to be the lucky man, I don't see why either of you
should despair."

"Oh! as for me, I'm the devil. I've a tail, only I don't wear it,
except on state occasions; and I've horns and hoofs, only people can't
see them. But I don't see why Morris should not succeed: he's the only
one of the four that doesn't own a racehorse, and that's much in his
favour. What do you say, Morris?"

"I'd have no objection," said the member; "except that I wouldn't like
to stand in Lord Ballindine's way."

"Oh! he's the soul of good-nature. You wouldn't take it ill of him,
would you, Frank?"

"Not the least," said Frank, sulkily; for he didn't like the
conversation, and he didn't know how to put a stop to it.

"Perhaps you wouldn't mind giving him a line of introduction to Lord
Cashel," said Mat.

"But, Morris," said Blake, "I'm afraid your politics would go against
you. A Repealer would never go down at Grey Abbey."

"Morris'll never let his politics harm him," said Tierney. "Repeal's a
very good thing the other side of the Shannon; or one might, carry it
as far as Conciliation Hall, if one was hard pressed, and near an
election. Were you ever in Conciliation Hall yet, Morris?"

"No, Mat; but I'm going next Thursday. Will you go with me?"

"Faith, I will not: but I think you should go; you ought to do
something for your country, for you're a patriot. I never was a public
man."

"Well, when I can do any good for my country, I'll go there. Talking of
that, I saw O'Connell in town yesterday, and I never saw him looking so
well. The verdict hasn't disturbed him much. I wonder what steps the
Government will take now? They must be fairly bothered. I don't think
they dare imprison him."

"Not dare!" said Blake--'and why not? When they had courage to indict
him, you need not fear but what they'll dare to go on with a strong
hand, now they have a verdict."

"I'll tell you what, Dot; if they imprison the whole set," said Mat,
"and keep them in prison for twelve months, every Catholic in Ireland
will be a Repealer by the end of that time."

"And why shouldn't they all be Repealers?" said Morris. "It