“It has considerably,” replied Dr. Turbot; “for instance, there will be no risk whatsoever, in lending to many of the embarrassed clergy sums of money upon their! personal security, until this pressure passes away, and their prosperity once more returns.”

“Oh, ho, doctor,” thought his sharp and wily companion, “I believe I have you now, Well, Dr. Turbot,” he replied, “I think, the case, even as you put it, will be attended with difficulties.  What, for instance, is personal security from a poor or a ruined man? very little, or rather nothing.  Still it is possible that many, relying upon the proverbial honor and integrity of the Irish Protestant clergy, may actually lend money upon this security.  But then,” he added, with a smile, “those who will, must belong to a peculiar and privileged class.”

“Why,” asked Turbot, “to what class do you allude?”

“To one with which,” said the proctor, “I unfortunately have no connection—­I mean the class that can afford to lend it.”

“Purcel,” said Dr. Turbot, “I am sorry to hear this ungenerous observation from you; I did not expect it.”

“Why do you call it ungenerous, sir?” asked Purcel.

“Because,” replied Turbot, “it is obvious that it was made in anticipation of a favor which I was about to ask of you.”

“If I can grant you any favor,” replied the proctor, “I shall be most happy to do so;—­if you will only let me know what it is.”

“You must be particularly dull not to perceive it,” replied the parson, “aware, as you are, of the unexpected state of my circumstances.  In short, I want you to assist me with a few hundreds.”

The proctor, after a pause, replied, “You place me in circumstances of great difficulty, sir; I am indeed anxious to oblige you, but I know not whether I can do so with honor, without violating my good faith to another party.”

“I don’t understand you,” said Turbot.

“Then I shall explain it,” replied Purcel; “the sum I can command is one of four hundred, which is at this moment virtually lent upon excellent security, at an interest of eight per cent.  The loan is certainly not legally completed, but morally and in point of honor it is.  Now, if I lend this money to you, sir, I must break my word and verbal agreement to the party in question.”

“Very well, sir,” replied the rector, who, notwithstanding the love he bore his “little luxuries,” was scrupulously honorable in all money transactions, “don’t attempt to break word, or to violate good faith with any man; and least of all, on my account.  I presume I shall be able to raise the money somewhere else.”

Purcel, who had uniformly found the doctor a sharp, but correct man in matters,of business, and who knew besides the severe pressure under which he labored at the moment, was not exactly prepared to hear from him the expression of a principle so high-minded.  He paused again for some time, during which he reasoned with himself somewhat to the following effect:—­“I did not expect this from the worthy doctor, but I did, that he would at once have advised me to break the agreement I mentioned and lend himself the money.  I cannot think there will be much risk in lending such a man a few hundreds, especially as no such agreement as I allude to exists.”  He then replied as follows:—­