library when I met you, and I am going there now."

"It is not so much," he replied, "that I have anything very particular
to say to Purcel, as that I feel a walk in the fresh air will relieve
me. Good-bye, then, for a little; I shall see you before I go."

"Now, Purcel," said he, when they had reached the garden, "this, after
all, is only a false alarm, or even if it be not, we know that the
government could by no means afford to abandon the established church
in Ireland, because that would be, in other words, to reject the aid
of, and sever themselves from all connection with, the whole Protestant
party; and you, as a man of sense, Purcel, need not be told that it is
only by the existence of a Protestant party in this country that they
are enabled to hold it in union with England at all."

"But what has that to do with our present distresses?" said the proctor,
who, as he probably began to anticipate the doctor's ultimate object
in this conversation, very shrewdly associated himself rather in an
official spirit with the embarrassments of his friend, and the church in
general.

"It has considerably," replied Dr. Turbot; "for instance, there will be
no risk whatsoever, in lending to many of the embarrassed clergy sums
of money upon their! personal security, until this pressure passes away,
and their prosperity once more returns."

"Oh, ho, doctor," thought his sharp and wily companion, "I believe I
have you now, Well, Dr. Turbot," he replied, "I think, the case, even as
you put it, will be attended with difficulties. What, for instance, is
personal security from a poor or a ruined man? very little, or rather
nothing. Still it is possible that many, relying upon the proverbial
honor and integrity of the Irish Protestant clergy, may actually lend
money upon this security. But then," he added, with a smile, "those who
will, must belong to a peculiar and privileged class."

"Why," asked Turbot, "to what class do you allude?"

"To one with which," said the proctor, "I unfortunately have no
connection--I mean the class that can afford to lend it."

"Purcel," said Dr. Turbot, "I am sorry to hear this ungenerous
observation from you; I did not expect it."

"Why do you call it ungenerous, sir?" asked Purcel.

"Because," replied Turbot, "it is obvious that it was made in
anticipation of a favor which I was about to ask of you."

"If I can grant you any favor," replied the proctor, "I shall be most
happy to do so;--if