"So will the mother, too," said the priest, with an arch look.

"And the whole family," replied the Counsellor.

"Go up instantly," said the priest; "you have often got a worse fee."

"And, perhaps, with less prospect of success," said the other.
"Gentlemen, have the goodness to walk into the parlor for a few minutes,
while I endeavor to soften my brother a little, if I can, upon this
untoward business."

When the priest and his two friends entered the parlor, which was
elegantly furnished, they stood for a moment to survey it.

Old Denis, however, was too much engaged in the subject which lay
nearest his heart to take pleasure in anything else; at least until he
should hear the priest's opinion upon the posture of affairs.

"What does your reverence think?" said Denis.

"Behave yourself," replied the pastor. "None of your nonsense! You know
what I think as well as I do myself."

"But will Dionnisis pass?--Will he go to Maynooth?"

"Will you go to your dinner to-day, or to your bed to-night?"

"God be praised! Well, Docthor, wait till we see him off, then I'll be
spakin' to you!"

"No," said the priest; "but wait till you tike a toss upon this sofa,
and then you will get a taste of ecclesiastical luxury."

"Ay," said Denis, "but would it be right o' me to sit in it? Maybe it's
consecrated."

"Faith, you may swear that; but it is to the ease and comfort of his
lordship! Come, man, sit down, till you see how you'll sink in it."

"Oh, murdher!" exclaimed Denis, "where am I at all? Docthor dear, am I
in sight? Do you see the crown o' my head, good or bad? Oh, may I never
sin, but that's great state!--Well, to be sure!"

"Ay," said the priest, "see what it is to be a bishop in any church! The
moment a man becomes a bishop, he fastens tooth and nail upon luxury,
as if a mitre was a dispensation for enjoying the world that they have
sworn to renounce. Dionysius, look about you! Isn't this worth studying
for?"

"Yes," replied the hitherto silent candidate, "if it was perusal on the
part of his lordship that got it."

"Upon my credit, a shrewd observation! Ah, Dionysius, merit
is overlooked in every church, and in every profession; or
perhaps--hem!--ehem!--perhaps some of your reverend friends might be
higher up! I mean nobody; but if sound learning, and wit, and humor,
together with several other virtues which I decline enumerating, could
secure a mitre, why mitres might be on other brows."

"This is s