o other companionship than two old men, only fit to weary
each other."

"You make me hope that our mission will succeed, sir," said Lady
Kilgoff, still employing her most fascinating look and voice; "we may
reckon you as an ally, I trust."

"I am your Ladyship's most devoted," said the old man, courteously; "how
can I be of service?"

"Our object is to induce Miss Leicester to pass some days with us,"
said she. "We are plotting various amusements that might interest
her,--private theatricals among the rest."

"Here she comes, my Lady," said Tiernay, with animation; "I am proud to
be the means of introducing her."

Just at this instant Mary Leicester had caught sight of the party,
and, uncertain whether to advance or retire, was standing for a moment
undecided, when Tiernay called out:

"Stay a minute, Miss Mary; Lady Kilgoff is anxious to make your
acquaintance."

"This is a very informal mode of opening an intimacy, Miss Leicester,"
said Lady Kilgoff; "pray let it have the merit of sincerity, for I have
long desired to know one of whom I have heard so much."

Mary replied courteously to the speech, and looked pleasedly towards
Cashel, to whom she justly attributed the compliment insinuated.

As the two ladies moved on side by side, engaged in conversation,
Tiernay slackened his pace slightly, and, in a voice of low but earnest
import, said,--

"Will Mr. Cashel consider it an intrusion if I take this opportunity of
speaking to him on a matter of business?"

"Not in the least, doctor," said Cashel, gayly; "but it's right I should
mention that I am most lamentably ignorant of everything that deserves
that name. My agent has always saved me from the confession, but the
truth will out at last."

"So much the worse, sir,--for others as well as for yourself," replied
Tiernay, bluntly. "The trust a large fortune imposes--But I shall forget
myself if I touch on such a theme. My business is this, sir,--and, in
mercy to you, I 'll make it very brief. My old friend, Mr. Corrigan,
deems it expedient to leave this country, and, in consequence,
to dispose of the interest he possesses in these grounds, so long
embellished by his taste and culture. He is well aware that much of what
he has expended here has not added substantial value to the property;
that, purely ornamental, it has, in great part, repaid himself by
the many years of enjoyment it has afforded him. Still, he hopes, or,
rather, I do for him,--for, to spea