, sighing.

"It 's mine, too, I 'm sorry to say," cried Lord Glengariff; "as I
suppose, erelong, it will be that of every country gentleman in the
land!"

"We might have known it must come to this!" muttered the other, in a
weak voice.

"I don't think so," broke in his Lordship, quickly. "I see no occasion
at all for what amounts to an act of confiscation; why not give us
time to settle with our creditors? Why not leave us to deal with our
encumbrances in our own way? The whole thing is a regular political
swindle, Barton; they wanted a new gentry that could be more easily
managed than the old fellows, who had no station, no rank, but right
ready to buy both one and the other by supporting--"

"Can I be of any service to your Lordship?" interrupted a very
over-dressed and much-gold-chained man, of about forty, with a great
development of chest, set off to advantage by a very pretentious
waistcoat.

"Ah, Hankes! is Dunn come back yet?" asked Lord Glengariff.

"No, my Lord; we expect him on Saturday. The telegraph is dated St.
Cloud, where he is stopping with the Emperor."

Glengariff gave Barton a slight pinch in the arm, and a look of intense
meaning at the words.

"Nothing has been done in that matter of mine?" said Barton, feebly.
"Jonas Barton is the name," added he, coloring at the necessity of
announcing himself.

"Jonas Barton, of Curryglass House?"

"Yes, that's it."

"Sold yesterday, under the Court, sir--for, let me see--" And he opened
a small memorandum-book. "Griffith's valuation," muttered he between his
teeth, "was rather better than the Commissioner's,--yes, sir, they got
a bargain of that property yesterday; it went for twenty-two thousand
six hundred--"

"Great God, sir; the whole estate?"

"The whole estate; there is a tithe-rent charge--"

"There, there, don't you see he does not hear you?" said Lord
Glengariff, angrily. "Have you no room where he can sit down for half
an hour or so?" And so saying, he assisted the servant to carry the now
lifeless form into a small chamber beside them. The sick man rallied
soon, and as quickly remembered where he was.

"This is bad news, Glengariff," said he, with a sickly effort at a
smile. "Have you heard who was the buyer?"

"No, no; what does it matter? Take my arm and get out of this place.
Where are you stopping in town? Can I set you down?" said the other, in
hurry and confusion.

"I'm with my son-in-law at Ely Place; he is to call for