come, this is too bad; is this the style of Charles Heathcote, for
instance?"

"Most essentially it is; the only thing is that, the bulldog
element predominating in his nature, he appears the less awkward in
consequence."

"I should like to bear what you 'd say of the O'Shea."

"Oh, Mr. O'Shea is an Irishman, and _their_ ways bear the same relation
to general good breeding that rope-dancing does to waltzing."

"I 'll take good care not to ask you for any description of myself,"
said he, laughingly.

"You are very wrong then, for you should have heard something
excessively nattering," was her reply. "Shall I tell you who your new
protector is to be?" cried she, after a moment's pause; "I have just
guessed it: the O'Shea himself!"

"O'Shea! impossible; how could you imagine such a thing?"

"I'm certain I'm right. He is always talking of his friend Sir George
Rivers--he calls him Rivers,--who is Colonial Secretary, and who is to
make him either Bishop of Barbadoes or a Gold Stick at the Gambria;
and you 'll see if I 'm not correct, and that the wardship of a young
scapegrace lordling is to be the retaining fee of this faithful follower
of his party. Of course, there will be no question of tutorship; in
fact, it would have such an unpleasant resemblance to the farce and Mr.
O'Toole, as to be impossible. You will simply be travelling together. It
will be double harness, but only one horse doing the work!"

"I never can make out whether you 're in jest or in earnest," said he,
pettishly.

"I'm always in earnest when I'm jesting; that's the only clue I can give
you."

"But all this time we have been wandering away from the only thing I
wanted to think of,--how to part with dear Alfred. You have told me
nothing about that."

"These are things which, as the French say, always do themselves, and,
consequently, it is better never to plan or provide for; and, remember,
as a maxim, whenever the current is carrying you the way you want to go,
put in your oar as little as possible. And as to old associations, they
are like old boots: they are very pleasant wear, but they won't last
forever. There now, I have given you quite enough matter to think over:
and so, good-bye."

As Agincourt turned his steps slowly towards the house, he marvelled
with himself what amount of guidance she had given him.

CHAPTER XIX. JOE'S DIPLOMACY

MR. O'Shea's man was not one to put his light under a bushel; so, when
he received at