ode?" said Cashel, smiling.
"Well, that is the greatest feature, because the others are things
to abandon, if not found to suit your temper or inclination--but a
wife--that does look somewhat more permanent. No matter, I'll adventure
all and everything--of course depending on your guidance for the path."

Mr. Kennyfeck was too happy at these signs of confidence to neglect an
opportunity for strengthening the ties, and commenced a very prudent
harangue upon the necessity of Cashel's using great caution in his first
steps, and not committing himself by anything like political pledges,
till he had firmly decided which side to adopt. "As to society," said
he, "of course you will select those who please you most for your
intimates; but in politics there are many considerations very different
from mere liking. Be only guarded, however, in the beginning, and you
risk nothing by waiting."

"And as to the other count in the indictment," said Cashel, interrupting
a rather prosy dissertation about political parties,--"as to the other
count--matrimony I mean. I conclude, as the world is so exceedingly kind
as to take a profound interest in all the sayings and doings of a man
with money, that perhaps it is not indifferent regarding so eventful
a step as his marriage. Now, pray, Mr. Kennyfeck, having entered
Parliament, kept open house, hunted, shot, raced, dined, gambled,
duelled, and the rest, to please society, how must I satisfy its
exigencies in this last particular? I mean, is there any particular
style of lady,--tall, short, brunette or fair, dark-eyed or
blue-eyed,--or what, in short, is the person I must marry if I would
avoid transgressing any of those formidable rules which seem to
regulate every action of your lives, and, if I may believe Mr. Phillis,
superintend the very color of your cravat and the shape of your hat?"

"Oh, believe me," replied Mr. Kennyfeck with a bland persuasiveness,
"fashion is only exigeant in small matters; the really momentous affairs
of life are always at a man's own disposal. Whoever is fortunate enough
to be Mr. Cashel's choice, becomes, by the fact, as elevated above
envious criticisms as she will be above the sphere where they alone
prevail."

"So far that is very flattering. Now for another point. There is an old
shipmate of mine--a young Spanish officer--who has lived rather a rakish
kind of life. I 'm not quite sure if he has not had a brush or two
with our flag, for he dealt a little