ot. But having myself given a written pledge, under
my own hand and seal, to Mr. Cashel, surrendering all right and title to
this estate--"

"Who gave this?" said Linton, turning suddenly round, and relinquishing
his hold upon the lock of the door. "Who gave this?"

"I gave it."

"To whom?"

"To Mr. Cashel, in the presence of his agent."

"When?" exclaimed Linton, from whose pale features, now, intense
agitation had banished all disguise. "When did you give it?"

"Within a fortnight."

"And this document--this release, was formal and explicit?"

"Perfectly so. I knew enough of law to make it obligatory. I stated the
conditions for which it was given,--certain concessions that Mr. Cashel
had lately granted me, respecting this small property."

Linton sat down, and covered his face with both hands. The trouble of
his feelings had carried him far away from all thought of concealment,
and of the part which so long he had been playing. Indeed, so insensible
was he to every consideration save one, that he forgot Corrigan's
presence--forgot where he was; and in the paroxysm of his baffled
purpose, muttered half aloud broken curses upon the insane folly of the
old man's act.

"I am compelled to remind you, sir, that I am a listener," said Mr.
Corrigan, whose face, suffused with a flush of anger, showed that the
insulting remarks had been overheard by him.

"And this was done without advice or consultation with any one?" said
Linton, not heeding the last remark, nor the look that accompanied it.

"I was free then, sir, to speak my gratitude, as I now am to utter my
indignation that you should dare to canvass _my_ acts and question _my_
motives, both of which are above your control."

Linton stared at him almost vacantly; his own thoughts, and not the old
man's words, had possession of his mind. With a rapidity of computation
in which few were his equals, he ran over all the varying chances of
success which had accompanied his game,--the pains he had taken to avert
all cause of failure; the unwearying attention he had given to every
minute point and doubtful issue,--and now, here, at the very last, came
the ruin of all his plans, and wreck of all his hopes.

"You have said enough--more than enough, sir--to show me how
disinterested were the views in which you sought my granddaughter in
marriage," said Corrigan, haughtily; "nor would it much surprise me,
now, were I to discover that he who is so skilful a double-d