liar."

"I should be sorry to believe otherwise, my dear Bryan; it would grieve
me to be forced to believe otherwise. If you suffer yourself to be drawn
into anything wrong or improper, you will be the first individual
of your family that ever brought a stain upon it. It would grieve
me--deeply would it grieve me, to witness such a blot upon so
honest--but no, I will not, for I cannot suppose it."

Bryan, whose disposition was full of good-nature and cheerfulness, could
not help bursting into a hearty laugh, on reverting to the conversation
which he had with Clinton, and comparing it with that in which they were
now engaged; both of which were founded upon some soap-bubble charge of
which he knew nothing.

"You take it lightly," said Fethertonge, with something of a serious
expression; "but remember, my dear Bryan, that I now speak as one
interested in, and, in fact, representing the other members of your
family. Remember, at all events, you are forewarned, and, in the
meantime, I thank Clinton--although I certainly would not have mentioned
names. Bryan, you can have no objection that I should speak to your
father on this subject?"

"Not the slightest, sir," replied Bryan; "spake to any one you like
about it; but, putting that aside, sir, for the present--about these
leases?"

"Why, what apprehension have you about them, Byran?"

"No apprehension, sir, sartinly; but you know yourself, Mr. Fethertonge,
that to a man like me, that's layin' out and expendin' money every day
upon Adaharra farm, and my father the same way upon Carriglass--I say,
to a man like me, to be layin' out his money, when you know yourself
that if the present landlord should refuse to carry his father's dying
words into effect--or, as you said this minute yourself, sir, if some
enemy should turn you against me, amn't I and my father and the whole
family liable to be put out, notwithstanding all the improvements we've
made, and the money we've spent in makin' them?"

"Bryan," said Fethertonge, after a pause, "every word you say is
unfortunately too true--too true--and such things, are a disgrace to the
country; indeed, I believe, they seldom occur in any country but this.
Will it in the mean time satisfy you when I state that, if old Mr.
Chevydale's intentions are not carried into effect by his son, I shall
forthwith resign my agency?"

Bryan's conscience, generous as he was, notwithstanding his suspicions,
smote him deeply on hearing this d