“Nothing, my lord, but what I’ve tould you.  I thought it a pitiful case to see a nobleman at your time of life afflicted by the steps he was about to take, and I brought these papers accordingly to your lordship.  I hope you’ll not forget that, my lord.”

“What value do you place on these two documents?”

“Why, I think a thousand pounds, my lord.”

“Well, sir, your estimate is a very low one—­ten thousand would come somewhat nearer the thing.”

“My lord, I can only say,” said M’Bride, “that I’m willin’ to take a thousand; but, if your lordship, knowin’ the value of the papers as you do, chooses to add anything more, I’ll be very happy to accept it.”

“I have another question to ask you, sir,” said his lordship, “which I do with great pain, as I do assure you that this is as painful a dialogue as I ever held in my life.  Do you think now, that, provided you had not taken—­that is, stolen-these papers from your master, he would, upon the success of the steps he is taking, have given you a thousand pounds?”

The man hesitated, as if he had caught a glimpse of the old man’s object in putting the question.  “Why—­hem—­no; I don’t think I could expect that, my lord; but a handsome present, I dare say, I might come in for.”

Lord Cullamore raised himself in his chair, and after looking at the treacherous villain with a calm feeling of scorn and indignation, to which his illness imparted a solemn and lofty severity, that made M’Bride feel as if he wished to sink through the floor,

“Go,” said he, looking at him with an eye that was kindled into something of its former fire.  “Begone, sir:  take away your papers; I will not—­I cannot enter into any compact with an ungrateful and perfidious villain like you.  These papers have come into your hands by robbery or theft—­that is sufficient; there they are, sir—­take them away.  I shall defend myself and my rights upon principles of justice, but never shall stoop to support them by dishonor.”

On concluding, he flung them across the table with a degree of energy that surprised M’Bride, whilst his color,hitherto so pale, was heightened by a flash of that high feeling and untarnished integrity which are seldom so beautifully impressive as when exhibited in the honorable indignation of old age.  It might have been compared to that pale but angry red of the winter sky which flashes so transiently over the snow-clad earth, when the sun, after the fatigues of his short but chilly journey, is about to sink from our sight at the close of day.

M’Bride slunk out of the room crestfallen, disappointed, and abashed; but on reaching the outside of the door he found Norton awaiting him.  This worthy gentleman, after beckoning to him to follow, having been striving, with his whole soul centred in the key-hole, to hear the purport of their conference, now proceeded to his own room, accompanied by M’Bride, where we shall leave them without interruption to their conversation and enjoyment, and return once more to Ginty Cooper.