above that sent it. If there was any kind of situation, sir, that
I could fill, and that would keep me in a place of safety where the
hathens couldn't get at me, everything would be right; and be the same
token, sir, now that I think of it, isn't the under gaoler-ship of
Castle Cumber vacant this minute."

Lucre who, in fact, had set his heart on prosecuting and punishing the
priest, would have gladly made Darby governor of the best gaol in his
majesty's dominions, rather than lose this opportunity of effecting his
purpose.

"Rest contented, O'Drive," he replied, "you shall have it--I pledge
myself that you shall have it. My influence is sufficient for much more
than so paltry a trifle as that. And now for the informations."

"Ah, sir," replied the other, "that wouldn't mend the matter a bit. Let
it go once abroad that I swore them, and I'd never see to-morrow night.
No, sir, if you wish him properly prosecuted,--and I think I ought to
know how to do it, too;--but if you wish him properly punished, place
me first out of harm's way--out o' the reach o' the hathens; put me into
the situation before we take a single step in the business, then I'll be
safe and can work in it to some purpose."

"It shall be done," said Lucre, "and I will go about it presently, but
in the mean time the matter rests as it is. If what you say is true, and
I believe it is, your own safety depends upon your silence."

"Not a breath," replied Darby; "and now, sir, about what brought me
here--I wanted to say that I'd wish '_to read_' upon Sunday next."

"What do you mean?" asked Lucre.

"Why, sir, as I said, I don't like to take my religion from an
attorney--and I'm afeard, besides, that he's not altogether orthybox,
in regard that he hinted once that God was ------; but, indeed I
disremember his words, for it wasn't aisy to hould them when you got
them."

"He, of course, is a Fatalist and Predestinarian," said Lucre; "but
what is this you were about to say?"

"Why, sir, that I'd wish publicly to read my recompensation in your
church on Sunday next."

"And why in my church?" asked the proud parson, who felt his vanity
touched, not by anything Darby had yet said, but by the indescribable
expression of flattery which appeared in his face.

"Why, sir," he replied, "bekase it's given out on all hands that there's
no end to your larnin'--that it's wondherful the books you wrote--and
as for your preachin', that it 'ud make one think themselv