fiercely, "but think,
reflect for one moment on what might have happened had they condemned
and executed me! Is there a man in all Ireland, with heart and soul
in him, who would not have read that sentence as an act of Government
tyranny and vengeance? Do you believe the gentry of the country would
have accepted the act as an accident, or do you think that the people
would recognize it as anything else than a murder solemnized by the law?
And if love of country could not stimulate and awake them, is it not
possible that fears for personal safety might?"

"I have no mind for such thoughts as these," said MacNaghten, sternly;
"nor is it beside the cold corpse of him who lies there I would
encourage them. If you come to sorrow over him, take your place beside
me; if to speculate on party feuds or factious dissensions, then I beg
you will leave me to myself."

Curtis made him no reply, but left the room in silence.

There were some legal difficulties raised before the funeral could be
performed. The circumstances of Rutledge's death required to be cleared
up; and Fagan--to whom my father had made a full statement of the whole
event--underwent a long and close examination by the law authorities of
the Castle. The question was a grave one as regarded property, since
if a charge of murder could have been substantiated, the whole of my
father's fortune would have been confiscated to the Crown. Fagan's
testimony, too, was not without a certain disqualification, because
he held large liens over the property, and must, if the estate were
estreated, have been a considerable loser. These questions all required
time for investigation; but, by dint of great energy and perseverance,
MacNaghten obtained permission for the burial, which took place with
strict privacy at the small churchyard of Killester,--a spot which, for
what reason I am unaware, my father had himself selected, and mention of
which desire was found amongst his papers.

Fagan accompanied MacNaghten to the funeral, and Dan returned to his
house afterwards to breakfast. Without any sentiment bordering on esteem
for the "Grinder," MacNaghten respected him generally for his probity,
and believed him to be as honorable in his dealings as usury and
money-lending would permit any man to be. He was well aware that for
years back the most complicated transactions with regard to loans had
taken place between him and my father, and that to a right understanding
of these diffic