ce are wonderful."

So saying, with a visage peculiarly rueful and mortified, he closed his
book and put it in his pocket.

The last person whom we shall notice was Brian M'Loughlin, on whose
features care had recently made a deep impression. On being asked to
sit, he declined--"I thank you," said he, "my visit will be but a short
one, and what I have to say, I can say standing."

"That as you please, Mr. M'Loughlin; shall I fill your receipts?"

"No," replied the other, "I simply came to state, that, owing to the
derangement of our affairs, I am not just now in a condition to pay my
rent."

"That is unpleasant, Mr. M'Loughlin."

"Of course it is," he replied; "that was my only business, Mr.
M'Clutchy, and now I bid you good-day."

"Not so fast, if you please, Mr. M'Loughlin; do not be in such a hurry.
You remember a meeting you and I had once in Castle Cumber fair?"

"I do."

"You remember the extraordinary civility with which you treated me?"

"I do, Val, and I only expressed what I thought then and think now; but
indeed you have improved the wrong way wonderfully since."

"Your language was indiscreet then, and it is so now."

"It was true for all that, Mr. M'Clutchy."

"Now, might not I, if I wished, take ample revenge for the insulting
terms you applied to me?"

"You might, and I suppose you will--I expect nothing else, for I know
you well."

"You do not know me. Mr. M'Loughlin, so far from acting up to what
you imagine, I shall not avail myself of your position; I have no
such intention, I assure you, so that whatever apprehensions you
may entertain from others, you need have none from me. And, now,
Mr. M'Loughlin, do you not perceive that you judged me unjustly and
uncharitably?"

"That's to be seen yet, Mr. M'Clutchy, time will tell."

"Well, then, make your mind easy; I shall take no proceedings in
consequence of your situation--so far from that, I shall wait patiently
till it is your convenience to pay the rent--so now, I wish you good
day, Mr. M'Loughlin."

"That is a beautiful exhibition of Christian spirit," exclaimed Solomon,
"good works are truly the fruit of faith."

"Before you go," said Phil, with a sneer, "will you allow me to ask how
poor Mary is."

M'Loughlin paused, and calmly looked first at Phil, and then at his
father.

"Phil," said the latter, "I shall order you out of the room, sir, if I
hear another word on that unfortunate subject. I am very sorry, I assure
you,