“Certainly,” said his landlord, “that is a very good course to take; indeed, your only course.”

“I hope, sir,” proceeded Bryan, “that as you now know the true circumstances of the case, you’ll be kind, enough to support my petition; I believe your brother, sir, is one of the Commissioners; you would sartinly be able to do something with him.”

“No,” replied Chevydaie, “I would not ask anything from him; but I shall support your Petition, and try what I can do with the other Commissioners.  On principle, however, I make it a point never to ask anything from my brother.”

“Will I bring you the Petition, sir?” asked Bryan.

“Fetch me the Petition.”

“And Bryan,” said Fethertonge, raising his finger at him as if by way of warning—­and laughing—­“hark ye, let this be the last.”

“Fethertonge,” said the landlord, “I see ’Pratt has been found guilty, and the sentence confirmed by the Commander-in-Chief.”

“You will insist on it,” said Bryan, in reply to the agent, “but—­”

“There now, M’Mahon,” said the latter, “that will do; good day to you.”

“I think it is a very harsh sentence, Fethertonge; will you touch the bell?”

“I don’t know, sir,” replied the other, ringing as he spoke; “Neville’s testimony was very strong against him, and the breaking of the glass did not certainly look like sobriety.”

“I had one other word to say, gentlemen,” added M’Mahon, “if you’ll allow me, now that I’m here.”

Fethertonge looked at him with a face in which might be read a painful but friendly rebuke for persisting to speak, after the other had changed the subject.  “I rather think Mr. Chevydale would prefer hearing it some other time, Bryan.”

“But you know the proverb, sir,” said Bryan, smiling, “that there’s no time like the present; besides it’s only a word.”

“What is it?” asked the landlord.

“About the leases, sir,” replied M’Mahon, “to know when it would be convanient for you to sign them.”

Chevydale looked, from Bryan to the agent, and again from the agent to Bryan, as if anxious to understand what the allusion to leases meant.  At this moment a servant entered, saying, “The horses are at the door, gentlemen.”

“Come some other day, M’Mahon,” said Fethertonge; “do you not see that we are going out to ride now—­going on our canvass?  Come to my office some other day; Mr. Chevydale will remain for a considerable time in the country now, and you need not feel so eager in the matter.”

“Yes, come some other day, Mr.—­Mr.—­ay—­M’Mahon; if there are leases to sign, of course I shall sign them; I am always anxious to do my duty as a landlord.  Come, or rather Fethertonge here will manage it.  You know I transact no business here; everything is done at his office, unless when he brings me papers to sign.  Of course I shall sign any necessary paper.”