Mr. Garraghty grew pale; his lips quivered; he stammered; and, after a shocking convulsion of face, could at last articulate—­only—­

’That there was a great difference between tenant and tenant, his lordship must be sensible, especially for so large a rent.’—­’As great a difference as between agent and agent, I am sensible—­especially for so large a property!’ said Lord Colambre, with cool contempt.  ’You find, sir, I am well informed with regard to this transaction; you will find, also, that I am equally well informed with respect to every part of your conduct towards my father and his tenantry.  If, in relating to him what I have seen and heard, I should make any mistakes, you are here; and I am glad you are, to set me right, and to do yourself justice.’

’Oh! as to that, I should not presume to contradict anything your lordship asserts from your own authority:  where would be the use?  I leave it all to your lordship.  But, as it is not particularly agreeable to stay to hear one’s self abused—­Sir Terence!  I’ll thank you to hand me my hat!—­And if you’ll have the goodness, my Lord Clonbrony, to look over finally the accounts before morning, I’ll call at your leisure to settle the balance, as you find convenient; as to the leases, I’m quite indifferent.’

So saying, he took up his money-bag.

‘Well, you’ll call again in the morning, Mr. Garraghty!’ said Sir Terence; ’and, by that time, I hope we shall understand this misunderstanding better.’

Sir Terence pulled Lord Clonbrony’s sleeve:  ’Don’t let him go with the money—­it’s much wanted!’

‘Let him go,’ said Lord Colambre; ’money can be had by honourable means.’

’Wheugh!—­He talks as if he had the Bank of England at his command, as every young man does,’ said Sir Terence.

Lord Colambre deigned no reply.  Lord Clonbrony walked undecidedly between his agent and his son—­looked at Sir Terence, and said nothing.

Mr. Garraghty departed; Lord Clonbrony called after him from the head of the stairs,

‘I shall be at home and at leisure in the morning.’  Sir Terence ran downstairs after him; Lord Colambre waited quietly for their return.

’Fifteen hundred guineas, at a stroke of a goose-quill!—­That was a neat hit, narrowly missed, of honest Nick’s!’ said Lord Clonbrony.  ’Too bad! too bad, faith!—­I am much, very much obliged to you, Colambre, for that hint; by to-morrow morning we shall have him in another tune.’

‘And he must double the bag, or quit,’ said Sir Terence.

’Treble it, if you please, Terry.  Sure, three times five’s fifteen;—­fifteen hundred down, or he does not get my signature to those leases for his brother, nor get the agency of the Colambre estate.—­Colambre, what more have you to tell of him? for, since he is making out his accounts against me, it is no harm to have a per Contra against him that may ease my balance.’