ifting and thoroughly examining everything that came before them,
gave it as their opinion--and both were men of the very highest
standing--that his lordship had no defence whatsoever, and that his
wisest plan was to yield without allowing the matter to go to a public
trial, the details of which must so deeply affect the honor of his
children.

This communication, signed in the form of a regular opinion by both
these eminent gentlemen, was received by his lordship on the fourth day
after Birney's visit to him on the subject.

About a quarter of an hour after he had perused it, his lordship's bell
rang, and Morty O'Flaherty, his man, entered.

"Morty," said his lordship, "desire Lord Dunroe to come to me; I wish to
speak with him. Is he within?"

"He has just come in, my lord. Yes, my lord, I'll send him up."

His lordship tapped the arms of his easy chair with the lingers of both
hands, and looked unconsciously upon his servant, with a face full of
the deepest sorrow and anguish.

The look was not lost upon Morty, who said, as he went down stairs,
"There's something beyond the common on my lord's mind this day. He was
bad enough before; but now he looks like a man that has got the very
heart within him broken."

He met Dunroe in the hall, and delivered his message, but added,

"I think his lordship has had disagreeable tidin's of some kind to-day,
my lord. I never saw him look so ill. To tell you the truth, my lord, I
think he has death in his face."

"Well, Morty," replied his lordship, adjusting his collar, "you know we
must all die. I cannot guess what unpleasant tidings he may have heard
to-day; but I know that I have heard little else from him this many a
day. Tell Mr. Norton to see about the bills I gave him, and have them
cashed as soon as possible. If not, curse me, I'll shy a decanter at his
head after dinner."

He then went rather reluctantly up stairs, and presented himself, in no
very amiable temper, to his father.

Having taken a seat, he looked at the old man, and found his eyes fixed
upon him with an expression of reproof, and at the same time the most
profound affliction.

"Dunroe," said the earl, "you did not call to inquire after me for the
last two or three days."

"I did not call, my lord, certainly; but, nevertheless, I inquired. The
fact is, I feel disinclined to be lectured at such a rate every time
I come to see you. As for Norton, I have already told you, with
every respect for