"Could you spare me half-an-hour in the bookroom first, Kilcullen?"

This request, of course, could not be refused; and the father and son
walked off, leaving Mat Tierney to the charity of the ladies.

There was much less of flippant overbearing impudence now, about Lord
Kilcullen, much less of arrogance and insult from the son towards the
father, than there had been in the previous interview which has been
recorded. He seemed to be somewhat in dread, to be cowed, and ill at
ease; he tried, however, to assume his usual manner, and followed his
father into the book-room with an affected air of indifference, which
very ill concealed his real feelings.

"Kilcullen," began the earl, "I was very sorry to see Tierney with you
last night. It would have been much better that we should have been
alone together, at any rate for one morning. I suppose you are aware
that there is a great deal to be talked over between us?"

"I suppose there is," said the son; "but I couldn't well help bringing
the man, when he told me he was coming here."

"He didn't ask you to bring him, I suppose?--but we will not talk about
that. Will you do me the favour to inform me what your present plans
are?"

"My present plans, my lord? Indeed, I've no plans!--It's a long time
since I had a plan of my own. I am, however, prepared to acquiesce
entirely in any which you may propose. I have come quite prepared to
throw at Miss Wyndham's feet myself and my fortune."

"And do you expect her to accept you?"

"You said she would, my lord: so I have taken that for granted. I, at
any rate, will ask her; if she refuses me, your lordship will perhaps
be able to persuade her to a measure so evidently beneficial to all
parties."

"The persuading must be with yourself; but if you suppose you can carry
her with a high hand, without giving yourself the trouble to try to
please her, you are very much mistaken. If you think she'll accept you
merely because you ask her, you might save yourself the trouble, and as
well return to London at once."

"Just as you please, my lord; but I thought I came in obedience to your
express wishes."

"So you did; but, to tell you the truth--your manner in coming is very
different from what I would wish it to be. Your--"

"Did you want me to crawl here on my hands and knees?"

"I wanted you to come, Kilcullen, with some sense of what you owe to
those who are endeavouring to rescue you from ruin: with some feeling
of, at any r