reception of him consisting in a cold and distant bow, as I told the
servant to place a chair and leave the room.

Without any preliminary whatever, I opened the subject of our negotiation,
expressed my regret that it should have waited so long, and my desire to
complete it.

Whether it was that the firm and resolute tone I assumed had its effect at
once, or that disappointed at the mode in which I received his advances he
wished to conclude our interview as soon as need be, I know not; but he
speedily withdrew from a capacious pocket a document in parchment, which,
having spread at large upon the table, and having leisurely put on his
spectacles, he began to hum over its contents to himself in an undertone.

"Yes, sir, here it is," said he. "'Deed of conveyance between Godfrey
O'Malley, of O'Malley Castle, Esq., on the one part'--perhaps you'd like
your solicitor to examine it,--'and Blake, of Gurt'--because there is no
hurry, Captain O'Malley--'on the other.' In fact, after all, it is a mere
matter of form between relatives," said he, as I declined the intervention
of a lawyer. "I'm not in want of the money--'all the lands and tenements
adjoining, in trust, for the payment of the said three thousand'--thank
God, Captain, the sum is a trifle that does not inconvenience me! The boys
are provided for; and the girls--the pickpockets, as I call them, ha,
ha, ha!--not ill off neither;--'with rights of turbary on the said
premises'--who are most anxious to have the pleasure of seeing you. Indeed,
I could scarcely keep Jane from coming over to-day. 'Sure he's my cousin,'
says she; 'and what harm would it be if I went to see him?' Wild,
good-natured girls, Captain! And your old friend Matthew--you haven't
forgot Matthew?--has been keeping three coveys of partridge for you
this fortnight. 'Charley,' says he,--they call you Charley still,
Captain,--'shall have them, and no one else.' And poor Mary--she was
a child when you were here--Mary is working a sash for you. But I'm
forgetting--I know you have so much business on your hands--"

"Pray, Mr. Blake, be seated. I know nothing of any more importance than the
matter before us. If you will permit me to give you a check for this money.
The papers, I'm sure, are perfectly correct."

"If I only thought it did not inconvenience you--"

"Nothing of the kind, I assure you. Shall I say at sight, or in ten days
hence?"

"Whenever you please, Captain. But it's sorry I am to come tro