principle which would yield itself to, and go down with, the impetuous current of his offensive vices, and satisfy their cravings even at his own ruin.  Such, then, was M’Clutchy—­such the position of Mr. Hickman, the agent—­and such the general state of the Castle Cumber property.  As to the principles and necessities of its proprietor, if they are not already known, we may assure our readers that they soon will be.

Constitution Cottage, M’Clutchy’s residence, was, in fact, no cottage at all, as we have said, but a very respectable house, and of considerable size.  Attached to it was an extensive yard and office houses, an excellent garden, orchard, pigeon house, and everything, in fact, that could constitute substantial comfort and convenience.  It was situated beside a small clump of old beeches, that sheltered it from the north—­to the front lay, at a few miles distance, a range of fine mountains—­and between them stretched as rich a valley, both in fertility and beauty, as the eye of man could rest upon.  The ground before the door fell by an easy and gradual descent, until a little further down it reached a green expanse of level meadow, through which a clear river wound its lingering course, as if loth to pass away from between the rich and grassy banks that enclosed it.  It was, in fact, a spot of that calm and perfectly rural character which draws the heart unconsciously to the secret charm that rests upon it, and which even the casual traveler leaves behind him with regret.  Some improvements were at the present time in an incipient state—­such as plantations—­garden walls—­and what seemed the lines of an avenue, or approach to the house, which, by the way, stood in the centre of a farm that consisted of about eighty Irish acres.

At length a single knock came, which was given by O’Drive, for Hanlon, who was his assistant, durst not attempt such a thing in his presence; and if ever a knock conveyed the duplicity of the man who gave it, that did.  Though, as we said, but a single one, yet there was no mistaking its double meaning.  It was impudent and servile; it was impudent, as much as to say to the servants, “why don’t you open the door quickly for a man who is so deep in your master’s confidence as I am?” while to that master himself, it said, or seemed to say, “I am your creature, your instrument, your slave, ready to execute any oppression, any hardship, or villainy, on which you can employ me.”

It is said, and we believe with truth, that in military life no officer is so severe and oppressive as he who has risen from the ranks, and been most obsequious there.  We do not doubt it, for the principle is a strong one in human nature, and is by no means confined to either the army or navy.  At all events,’shuffling, and cringing, and slinking Darby O’Drive presented himself to Val the Vulture.  There was a downcast, cowardly, shy, uneasy, expression in his blank, straggling features, that seemed to say, for God’s sake