the things, if there be such things, which
I must beg leave to doubt; but that principle which causes one man to
hate another, in proportion to its influence over him."

"Ay," said Phil, "just as you and I, who have not got a touch of
religion in our whole composition, have the character of being two of
the staunchest Protestants in the county."

"Yes," replied the father, "and in this case the fiction is as good
and better than the truth. The fiction, Phil, under which our religion
appears is our own interests--no, I am wrong--the fiction under which
our interest appeal's is our religion--that is the way of it; and
the truth is, Phil, that ninety-nine men out of every hundred will
go ninety-nine miles for their interests, before they will go one for
either religion or truth--that's the way of it, too. However, pass
that--now about Poll Doolin and the hint I gave you?"

"Why, you know at that time matters were not ripe for it. Don't you
remember telling me so yourself?"

"I do, but I speak of your present intentions."

"Faith, my present intentions would be to marry the girl, Papist though
she be, if I could; but as that's out of the question, I will now follow
up your hint."

"Then you had better see Poll, and go on with it. Are you aware,
besides, that the concern is tottering?"

"The manufactory! No--is that possible?"

"It is a fact; but you know not how honest Solomon and I have been at
work. It is tottering, Lieutenant M'Clutchy, and in a short time you
will see what you shall see."

"Well," said Phil, "so far everything is turning out very fortunate for
us--but I think, Captain, that you are one of those men who are born
under what they call a lucky planet;--eh? old boy?"

"Well, I think so; but in the meantime see Poll Doolin, and after that
pay a visit to my father. The old scoundrel is upon his last legs, and
there can be no harm in paying him some attention now. You are not a
favorite of his; so smooth him down as much as you can. I don't myself
expect that he will remember either of us in his will; but, as he is
hasty and capricious, it is difficult to say what effect a favorable
impression might have upon him."

"Neither are you a favorite with Isabel, or Jezabel, as he calls her."

"No, I made a bad move there--but, after all, what did I, or rather,
what could I lose by neglecting her? Did she not succeed in banishing
every one of his relatives from about him? It was neither her interest
no