the man; or, harkee, who knows but the whole
thing is an electioneering trick resorted to for the purpose of
impugning your vote, and of getting Vanston out on petition and
scrutiny. Faith and honor, Bryan, I think that this last is the true
reading."

"I'm inclined to agree with you there," replied Bryan, "that looks like
the truth; and even then I agree with you still that Fethertonge is at
the bottom of it. Still how am I to act?"

"In either case, Bryan, precisely as I said. Keep the letter and the
bank-note; say nothing about it--that is clearly your safest plan; do
not let them out of your hands, for the time may come when it will be
necessary to your own character to show them."

"Well, then, I will be guided by you, Hycy. As you say no one knows the
secret but yourself and me; if it has come from a friend he will say
nothing about it, but if it has come from an enemy it will be whispered
about; but at all events I have you as proof that it did not come to me
by any bargain of mine."

Hycy spoke not a word, but clapped him approvingly on the shoulder, as
much as to say--"Exactly so, that is precisely the fact," and thus ended
the dialogue.

We all know that the clearer the mirror the slighter will be the breath
necessary to stain it; on the breast of an unsullied shirt the most
minute speck will be offensively visible. So it is with human character
and integrity. Had Bryan M'Mahon belonged to a family of mere ordinary
reputation--to a family who had generally participated in all the good
and evil of life, as they act upon and shape the great mass of society,
his vote might certainly have created much annoyance to his party for
a very brief period--just as other votes given from the usual
motives--sometimes right and honorable--sometimes wrong and
corrupt--usually do. In his case, however, there was something
calculated to startle and alarm all those who knew and were capable of
appreciating the stainless honor and hereditary integrity of the family.
The M'Mahon's, though inoffensive and liberal in their intercourse with
the world, even upon matters of a polemical nature, were nevertheless
deeply and devotedly attached to their own religion, and to all those
who in any way labored or contributed to relieve it of its disabilities,
and restore those who professed it to that civil liberty which had been
so long denied them. This indeed was very natural on the part of the
M'Mahons, who would sooner have thought