adduce innumerable plots
and plans which were to spring out of it, I sincerely believe his sole
motive was the pleasure that he and my mother were sure to feel in doing
a piece of graceful and generous politeness. MacNaghten's account of
Polly had strongly excited their curiosity, not to speak of a more
worthy feeling, in her behalf; and knowing that Fagan's immense wealth
would one day or other be hers, they felt it was but fair that she
should see, and be seen, by that world of which she was yet to be a
distinguished ornament. Beyond this, I implicitly believe they had no
motive nor plan. Of course, I do not pretend to say that even
amongst his own very guests, the men who travelled down to enjoy his
hospitality, his conduct did not come in for its share of criticism.
Many an artful device was attributed to this seeming stroke of policy,
not one of which, however, did not more redound to my father's craft
than to his character for honorable dealing. But what would become
of "bad tongues" in this world if there were not generous natures to
calumniate and vilify? Of a verity, scandal prefers a high mark and an
unblemished reputation for its assaults, far better than a damaged fame
and a tattered character; it seems more heroic to shy a pebble through a
pane of plate-glass than to pitch a stone through a cracked casement!

CHAPTER IX. A GENTLEMAN USHER

Among the members of the Viceregal suite who were to accompany his
Grace on a visit was a certain Barry Rutledge, a gentleman usher, whose
character and doings were well known in the times I speak of. When a
very young man, Rutledge had been stripped of his entire patrimony on
the turf, and was thrown for support upon the kindness of those who
had known him in better days. Whether it was that time had developed or
adversity had sharpened his wits, it is certain that he showed himself
to be a far shrewder and more intelligent being than the world had
heretofore deemed him. If he was not gifted with any very great insight
into politics, for which he was free to own he had no taste, he was well
versed in human nature, at least in all its least favorable aspects,
and thoroughly understood how to detect and profit by the weaknesses of
those with whom he came in contact.

His racing experiences had given him all the training and teaching which
he possessed, and to his own fancied analogy between the turf and the
great race of life did he owe all the shrewd inspirations