l; his voice was tremulous with
vexation; and, indeed, altogether the aspect of those present betokened
the occurrence of some grievous affliction.

"Well," said Brian, Denis's elder brother, "I only say this, that it's
a good story for him to tell that he is a Bishop, otherwise I'd think no
more of puttin' a bullet through him from behind a hedge, than I would
of shootin' a cur dog."

"Don't say that, Brian," said his mother; "bad as it is, he's one of our
clargy, so don't spake disrespectful of him; sure a year is not much to
wait, an' the next time you go before him it won't be in his power to
keep you back. As for Father Molony, we wish, him well, but undher the
roof of this house, except at a Station, or something else of the kind,
he will never sit, barrin' I thought it was either dhry or hungry, that
I wouldn't bring evil upon my substance by refusin' him."

"And that was his lordship's character of me?" inquired the priest once
more with chagrin.

"If that was not, perhaps you will find it in this letter," replied
Denis, handing him a written communication from the Bishop. Father
Finnerty hastily broke open the seal, and read silently as follows:--

"_To the Rev. Father Finnerty, peace, and benediction._

"Rev. Sir,

"I feel deep indignation at hearing the disclosure made to me this
day by the bearer, touching your negotiation with him and his family,
concerning a horse, as the value paid by them to you for procuring the
use of my influence in his favor; and I cannot sufficiently reprobate
such a transaction, nor find terms strong enough in which to condemn the
parties concerned in it. Sir, I repeat it, that such juggling is
more reprehensible on your part than on theirs, and that it is doubly
disrespectful to me, to suppose that I could be influenced by anything
but merit in the candidates. I desire you will wait upon me to-morrow,
when I hope you may be able to place the transaction in such a light as
will raise you once more to the estimation in which I have always held
you. There are three other candidates, one of whom is a relation of
your excellent curate's; but I have as yet made no decision, so that the
appointment is still open. In the meantime, I command you to send back
the horse to his proper owner, as soon after the receipt of this
as possible, for O'Shaughnessy must not be shackled by any such
stipulations. I have now to ask your Christian forgiveness, for having,
under the influence of t