istake about it. He must not get wind of this."

"Ain't I knowing it?" James returned restively. He had been snubbed,
and he was sore.

"Well, there was a thing you were not knowing," Asgill retorted, with a
look which it was fortunate that the other did not see. "And still
there's a thing you've not thought of, my lad. It's only to a
Protestant he can leave it, and you must have one ready. Now if I----"

"No!" James cried, with sudden energy. And he drew back a step, and
looked the other in the face. "No, Mr. Asgill," he continued; "if it is
to that you've been working, I'd as soon him as you! Ay, by G----d, I
would! I'd sooner turn myself!"

"I can believe that."

"A hundred times sooner!" James repeated. "And what for not? What's to
prevent me? Eh? What's to prevent me?"

"Your sister," Asgill answered.

James's face, which had flamed with passion, lost its colour.

"Your sister," Asgill repeated with gusto. "I'd like fine to see you
asking her to help you turn Protestant! Faith, and, for a mere word of
that same, I'll warrant she'd treat you as the old gentleman treated
you!"

"Anyway, I'll not trust you," James replied, with venom. "Sooner than
that I'll have--ay, that will do finely--I'll have Constantine Hussey
of Duppa. He's holder for three or four already, and the whole country
calls him honest! I'll have him and be safe."

"You'll do as you please about that," Asgill answered equably. If he
felt any chagrin, he hid it well. "And that being settled, I wish you
luck. Only, mind you, I don't use my wits for nothing. If the estate's
to be yours, Flavia's to be mine--if she's willing."

"Willing or unwilling for what I care!" James answered brutally.

Asgill did not hide his scorn. "An excellent brother!" he said. "And
so, good-day to you. But have a care of old Ulick."

"Do you think I'm a fool?" James shouted after him.

It was well, perhaps, that the wind carried Asgill's answer across the
water and wasted it on the dusk, which presently swallowed his
retreating form. The McMurrough stood awhile where the other had left
him. He watched the rider go, and twice he shook his fist after him.

"Marry my sister, you dog," he muttered. "Ay, if it will give me my
place again! But for helping you to the land first and to her
afterwards, as you'd have me, you schemer, you bog-trotter, it would
make Tophet's dog sick! You d----d dirty son of an upstart! You'd marry
my sister, would you? It will be odd"--