ll this luxury, that makes
the contrast of our poverty the colder,--all this reckless waste, that
is like an unfeeling jest upon our small thrift, is hard to bear when we
see it, not the pastime of an idle hour, but the business of a life. You
can do far better things than these, and be happier as well as better
for doing them! And now, sir, are you in the mood to discuss my friend's
project?"

"Perfectly so, doctor; you have only to speak your sentiments on the
matter before Mr. Kennyfeck; my concurrence is already with you."

"We want you to buy our interest in Tubber-beg," said the doctor,
drawing his chair in front of Kennyfeck; "and though you tell us that
flower-plats and hollies, laurustinus and geraniums, are not wealth, we
'll insist on your remunerating us for some share of the cost. The spot
is a sweet one, and will improve your demesne. Now, what's it worth?"

"There are difficulties which may preclude any arrangement," said
Kennyfeck, gravely. "There was a deed of gift of this very property made
out, and only awaiting Mr. Cashel's signature."

"To whom?" said Tiernay, gasping with anxiety.

"To Mr. Linton."

"The very thing I feared," said the old man, dropping his head
sorrowfully.

"It is easily remedied, I fancy," said Cashel. "It was a hasty promise
given to afford him qualification for Parliament. I 'll give him
something of larger value; I know he 'll not stand in our way here."

"How you talk of giving, sir! You should have been the Good Fairy of a
nursery tale, and not a mere man of acres and bank-notes. But have your
own way. It's only anticipating the crash a month or so; ruined you must
be!"

"Is that so certain?" said Cashel, half smiling, half seriously.

"Ask Mr. Kennyfeck, there, whose highest ambition half a year ago was to
be your agent, and now he 'd scarcely take you for a son-in-law! Don't
look so angry, man; what I said is but an illustration. It will be with
your property as it was with your pleasure-boat t'other day; you 'll
never know you 've struck till you 're sinking."

"You affect to have a very intimate knowledge of Mr. Cashel's affairs,
sir," said Kennyfeck, who was driven beyond all further endurance.

"Somewhat more than you possess, Mr. Kennyfeck; for I know his tenantry.
Not as you know them, from answering to their names at rent-day, but
from seeing them in seasons of distress and famine,--from hearing their
half-uttered hopes that better days were coming whe