We must still trace Hycy’s motions.  On leaving the post-office, he went directly to the Head Inn, where he knew Bryan M’Mahon was waiting until the town should become perfectly calm and quiet.  Here he found Bryan, whose mind was swayed now to one side and now to another, on considering the principle on which he had voted, and the consequences to which that act might expose him.

“I know I will have much to endure,” he thought, while pacing the room by himself in every way, “but I little value anything the world at large may think or say, so that I don’t lose the love and good opinion of Kathleen Cavanagh.”

“Why, Bryan,” said Hycy, as he entered, “I think you must provide a secretary some of these days, your correspondence is increasing so rapidly.”

“How is that?” inquired the other.

“Simply that there’s another letter in the post-office for you, and if I don’t mistake, from the same hand—­that of our friend the Major.”

“I’m not aware of anything he could have to write to me about now,” replied Bryan; “I wonder what can it be?”

“If you wish I shall fetch you the letter,” said Hycy, “as you have an objection I suppose to go out until the town is empty.”

“Thank you, Hycy, I’ll feel obliged to you if you do; and Hycy, by the way, I am sorry that you and I ever mistook or misunderstood one another; but sich things happen to the best of friends, and why should we hope to escape?”

“Speak only for yourself, Bryan,” replied Hycy, “the misunderstanding was altogether on your side, not on mine.  I always knew your value and esteemed you accordingly.  I shall fetch your letter immediately.”

On returning he placed the document aforesaid in M’Mahon’s hands, and said, in imitation of his friend Teddy Phats—­“Come now, read her up.”  Bryan opened the letter, and in the act of doing so a fifty pound note presented itself, of which, as it had been cut in two, one half fell to the ground.

“Hallo!” exclaimed Hycy, suddenly taking it up, “this looks well—­what have we here?  A fifty pound note!”

“Yes,” replied Bryan; “but why cut in two? here however is something written, too—­let me see—­

“’Accept this as an earnest of better things for important services.  The fine imposed upon you has been reduced to fifty pounds—­this will pay it.

“A DEEPLY OBLIGED FRIEND.’”

The two young men looked at each other for some time without speaking.  At length M’Mahon’s face became crimsoned with indignation!

“Who could have dared to do this?” said he, once more looking at the bank-note and the few lines that accompanied it.  “Who durst suppose that a M’Mahon would sell his vote for a bribe?  Did Vanston suppose that money would sway me? for this I am sure must be his work.”

“Don’t be too sure of that,” replied Hycy; “don’t be too sure that it’s not some one that wishes you worse than Vanston does.  In my opinion, Bryan, that letter and the note contained in it were sent to you by some one who wishes to have it whispered abroad that you were bribed.  It surely could not be Vanston’s interest to injure your character or your circumstances in any sense; and I certainly think him too honorable to deal in an anonymous bribe of that kind.”