alighted at Fagan's door. "The Grinder" was already up, and busily
engaged inspecting the details of his shop; for, however insignificant
as a source of gain, some strange instinct seemed to connect his
prosperity with the humble occupation of his father and his grandfather,
and he appeared to think that the obscure fruit-stall formed a secret
link between their worldly successes and his own.

It was with surprise not altogether devoid of shame that he saw my
father descend from the jaunting-car to salute him.

"I've come to take my breakfast with you, Tony," said he, gayly; "and,
determining to be a man of business for once, I 'm resolved to catch
these calm hours of the morning that you prudent fellows make such good
use of!"

Fagan stared with astonishment at this sudden apparition of one from
whom he neither expected a visit at such an hour, much less a speech
of such meaning. He, however, mumbled out some words of welcome, with
a half-intelligible compliment about my father's capacity being fully
equal to any exigencies or any demands that might be made upon it.

"So they told me at school, Tony, and so they said in college. They
repeated the same thing when I entered Parliament; but, somehow, I
have been always a fellow of great promise and no performance, and I
am beginning at last to suspect that I shall scarcely live to see this
wonderful future that is to reveal me to the world in the plenitude of
my powers!"

"It will, then, be entirely your own fault, sir," said Fagan, with an
earnestness that showed the interest he felt in the subject. "Let me
speak to you seriously, sir," said he; and he led the way into a room,
where, having seated themselves, he went on: "With your name, and
your position, and your abilities, Mr. Carew,--no sir, I am too deeply
concerned in what I say to be a flatterer,--there was a great and
glorious career open before you; nor is the time to follow it gone by.
Think what you might be amongst your countrymen, by standing forward as
their champion! Picture to yourself the place you might hold, and
the power you might wield,--not a power to depend upon the will of
a minister, or the caprice of a cabinet, but a power based upon the
affections of an entire people; for, I say it advisedly, the leadership
of the national party is yet to be claimed. Lord Charlemont is too weak
and too ductile for it. Besides that, his aristocratic leanings
unfit him for close contact with the masses. He