“That is singular enough,” said Fethertonge—­“he named Hycy Burke, then?”

“He did, sir.”

“It is singular,” proceeded the other, as if speaking to himself; “in truth, my dear M’Mahon, we were talking about you, discussing, in fact, the same subject not many minutes ago; and what you tell me now is only an additional proof that Clinton, who is sometimes harshly spoken of by the way, is a straightforward, honest man.”

“What could he mane, sir?” asked Bryan, “I never had anything to do contrary to the law—­I haven’t now, nor do I ever intend to have—­”

“Well, I’m sure I do not know,” replied the agent:  “he made no illusion of that kind to me, from a generous apprehension, I dare say, lest he might injure you in my opinion.  He only desired me not rashly to listen to anything prejudicial to your character; for that you had enemies who were laboring to injure you in some way—­but how—­he either would not tell, or perhaps did not know.  I am glad, however, he mentioned it; for I shall be guarded should I hear anything to your prejudice.”

“I tell you beforehand, sir,” said Bryan, with the conscious warmth of rectitude, “and I think I ought to know best, that if you ever hear anything against my honesty or want of principle, or if any one should say that I will be consarned in what’s contrary to either law or justice, you’ll hear a falsehood—­I don’t care who it comes from—­and the man who tells you so is a liar.”

“I should be sorry to believe otherwise, my dear Bryan; it would grieve me to be forced to believe otherwise.  If you suffer yourself to be drawn into anything wrong or improper, you will be the first individual of your family that ever brought a stain upon it.  It would grieve me—­deeply would it grieve me, to witness such a blot upon so honest—­but no, I will not, for I cannot suppose it.”

Bryan, whose disposition was full of good-nature and cheerfulness, could not help bursting into a hearty laugh, on reverting to the conversation which he had with Clinton, and comparing it with that in which they were now engaged; both of which were founded upon some soap-bubble charge of which he knew nothing.

“You take it lightly,” said Fethertonge, with something of a serious expression; “but remember, my dear Bryan, that I now speak as one interested in, and, in fact, representing the other members of your family.  Remember, at all events, you are forewarned, and, in the meantime, I thank Clinton—­although I certainly would not have mentioned names.  Bryan, you can have no objection that I should speak to your father on this subject?”

“Not the slightest, sir,” replied Bryan; “spake to any one you like about it; but, putting that aside, sir, for the present—­about these leases?”

“Why, what apprehension have you about them, Byran?”