echoed the doctor still more sadly.

"Who can tell that?" said Cashel. "There's many a coinage costlier than
ever the mint fashioned; he may requite me thus."

The doctor started. "You mean--no!--no!" cried he, interrupting himself,
"that were too great good fortune. I must tell you, sir," added he, in
a firm voice, "that there is nothing--absolutely nothing--to give you in
requital for such aid. My friend's alternative is a prison, or be your
debtor for what he cannot pay."

"I am content,--perfectly content," said Roland. "There is no need to
say another word on the matter. Do not suffer him to endure any anxiety
we can spare him; tell him at once the thing is done."

"We must think over this a little," said Tiernay, musing. "Con is a
difficult fellow to deal with; there must be something which shall give
it the semblance of a loan; he must be made to believe it is only a
change of creditors."

"Could not we arrange it without his knowledge, while you could affect
to have made some settlement which has satisfied the others?"

"Too late,--too late, for that; he has seen Hoare himself."

"Hoare!--the money-lender from Dublin?" said Cashel, blushing at the
recollection of his own acquaintance with him.

"Ay, sir, of course you know him! A man cannot enjoy such distinguished
friendships as you have without the aid of usurers?"

Cashel smiled good-humoredly, and went on,--

"Where is this gentleman at present."

"Yonder," said Tiernay, pointing to the cottage; "but he intends shortly
returning to the inn at the village, where perhaps it would be better to
meet him than here. If you 'll permit me, I 'll just step in and say as
much, and then we can stroll that way together."

Cashel consented, and his companion left him to do his errand. It was
only as he stood alone, and had time for reflection, that he remembered
his conversation with Kennyfeck in the morning, and learned that, with
regard to ready money at least, he stood in a very different position
from what he supposed. That there would be difficulties and legal
obstacles innumerable made by Kennyfeck to any sale of property, he well
knew; but he had made up his mind as to his course, and would not be
thwarted. He had but space for these reflections, when Tiernay joined
him, saying,--

"So far all is well. Hoare will follow us in a few minutes, and, for
privacy' sake, I have made the rendezvous at my house."

"And Corrigan,--how have you left him?" ask