The Viceroy gave a slight start, and smiled. He had not, as yet, accustomed his mind to such bold exercise of his patronage. He lived, however, to get over this sensation.

"My son," resumed Ma.s.singbred, "argues this at some length. If you permit, I 'll leave the letter in your Excellency's hands. In fact, I read it very hurriedly, and came over here the moment I glanced my eyes over this pa.s.sage."

His Excellency took the letter, and turned to address a word to Joe Nelligan, but he had left the spot.

"Belcour," said the Viceroy, "tell Mr. Nelligan I wish to speak to him. I shall be in the small drawing-room. I 'll talk with him alone.

Ma.s.singbred, be ready to come when I shall send for you."

The Viceroy sat alone by the fire, pondering over all he had heard.

There was, indeed, that to ponder over, even in the brief, vague description of the writer. "The difficulties of Ireland," as it was the fashion of the day to call them, were not such as government commissions discover, or blue books describe; they lay deeper than the legislative lead-line ever reaches,--many a fathom down below statutes and Acts of Parliament. They were in the instincts, the natures, the blood of a people who had never acknowledged themselves a conquered nation. Perhaps his Excellency lost himself in speculations, mazy and confused enough to addle deeper heads. Perhaps he was puzzled to think how he could bring the Cabinet to see these things, or the importance that pertained to them; who knows? At all events, time glided on, and still he was alone.

At length the aide-de-camp appeared, and with an air of some confusion, said,--"It would appear, my Lord, that Mr. Nelligan has gone away."

"Why, he never said good-night; he did n't take leave of me!" said the Viceroy, smiling.

The aide-de-camp slightly elevated his brows, as though to imply his sense of what it might not have become him to characterize in words.

"Very strange, indeed!" repeated his Excellency; "is n't it, Belcour?"

"Very strange, indeed, your Excellency," said the other, bowing.

"There could have been no disrespect in it," said his Lordship, good-humoredly; "of _that_ I'm quite certain. Send Colonel Ma.s.singbred here."

"He's gone off, Ma.s.singbred," said the Viceroy, as the other appeared.

"So I have just learned, my Lord. I conclude he was not aware--that he was unacquainted with--"

"Oh, of course, Ma.s.singbred," broke in the Viceroy, laughing, "the fault is all with my predecessors in office; they never invited these men as they ought to have done. Have you sounded M'Casky as to the appointment?"

"Yes, my Lord; he thinks 'we might do worse.'"

"A qualified approval, certainly. Perhaps he meant we might select himself!"

"I rather opine, my Lord, that he regards Nelligan's promotion as likely to give offence to Mr. O'Connell, unless that he be himself consulted upon it."

"Then comes the question, Who is it governs this country, Colonel Ma.s.singbred?" said the Marquis; and for the first time a flash of angry meaning darkened his cheeks. "If I be here,"--he stopped and hesitated,--"if you and I be here only to ratify appointments made by irresponsible individuals,--if we hold the reins of power only to be told where we 're to drive to,--I must own the office is not very dignified, nor am I patient enough to think it endurable."

"M'Casky only suggested that it might be advisable to see O'Connell on the subject, not, as it were, to pa.s.s him over in conferring the appointment."

"I cannot at all concur in this view, Ma.s.singbred," said the Marquis, proudly; "there could be no such humiliation in the world as a patronage administered in this wise. Write to Nelligan; write to him to-night. Say that his abrupt departure alone prevented my making to him personally the offer of the solicitorship; add that you have my directions to place the office in his hands, and express a strong wish, on your own part, that he may not decline it."

Ma.s.singbred bowed in acquiescence, and after a pause his Excellency went on:--

"There would be no objection to your adding something to the effect that my selection of him was prompted by motives in which party has no share; that his acknowledged eminence at the bar,--a character to which even political opponents bear honorable testimony,--in fact, Ma.s.singbred,"

added he, impatiently, "if the appointment should come to be questioned in the House, let us have it on record that we made it solely on motives directed to the public service. You understand me?"

"I think so, my Lord," said Ma.s.singbred, and withdrew.

If it were not that other cares and other interests call us away, we would gladly linger a little longer to speculate on the Viceroy's thoughts as he reseated himself by the fire. His brow was overcast and his features clouded. Was it that he felt he had entered the lists, and thrown down the glove to a strong and resolute opponent? Had he before him a vista of the terrible conflict between expediency and honor that was soon to be his fate? Had he his doubts as to the support his own Cabinet would afford him? Was his pride the ruling sentiment of the moment, or did there enter into his calculations the subtle hope of all the eager expectancy this appointment would create, all the disposable venality it would lay at his discretion? Who can answer these questions?

who solve these doubts? Is it not very possible that his mind wandered amidst them all? Is it not more than likely that they pa.s.sed in review before him? for when he rejoined his company his manner was more absent, his courtesy less easy than usual.

At length Mr. M'Casky came forward to say goodnight.

"Colonel Ma.s.singbred has told you of those disturbances in the West, has he not?" asked the Viceroy.

"Yes, my Lord," replied the other.

"And what opinion--what advice did you give?"

"To let matters alone, my Lord; to be always a little behind time, particularly in sending a force. 'Never despatch the police to quell a riot,' said John Toler, 'unless one of the factions be completely beaten, otherwise you 'll have them both on your back;' and I a.s.sure your Excellency, Ireland has been very successfully governed under that maxim for years past."

"Thank you, M'Casky; thank you for the advice," said his Excellency, laughing, and wished him good-night.

CHAPTER x.x.xIV. AN HONORED GUEST

It was a time of unusual stir and bustle at the Martin Arms; the house was crammed with company. Messengers--some mounted, others on foot--came and went at every moment; horses stood ready saddled and harnessed in the stables, in waiting for any emergency; in fact, there was a degree of movement and animation only second to that of a contested election.

In the midst of this confusion a chaise with four smoking posters drew up at the door, and a sharp, clear voice called out,--"Morrissy, are my rooms ready?"

"No, indeed, Mr. Repton," stammered out the abashed landlord; "the house is full; there's not a spot in it to put a child in."

"You got my letter, I suppose?" said Repton, angrily.

"I did, sir, but it was too late; the whole house was engaged by Mr. Scanlan, and the same evening the company arrived in two coaches-and-four."

"And who is the precious company you speak of?"

"Mr. Merl, sir," said the other, dropping his voice to a whisper, "the new owner of Cro' Martin; he's here, with two or three great lawyers and one or two of his friends. They came down to serve the notices and give warning--"

"Well, what is to be done? where can I be accommodated?" broke in Repton, hastily. "Isn't Mr. Ma.s.sing-bred in the house?"

"No, sir, he had to move out, too; but, sure enough, he left a bit of a note for you in the bar." And he hastened off at once to fetch it.

Repton broke open the seal impatiently, and read:--

"My dear Mr. Repton,--I regret that you 'll find the inn full on your arrival; they turned me out yesterday to make room for Mr. Merl and his followers. Happily, Mr. Nelligan heard of my dest.i.tution, and offered me a quarter at his house. He also desires me to say that he will deem it a very great favor if you will accept the shelter of his roof, and in hopeful antic.i.p.ation of your consenting, he will wait dinner for your arrival. From my own knowledge, I can safely a.s.sure you that the offer is made in a spirit of true hospitality, and I sincerely wish that you may accept it.

"Yours very faithfully,

"J. Ma.s.singbred."

"Where does Mr. Nelligan live?" asked Repton, as he refolded the letter.

"Just across the street, sir. There it is."

"Set me down there, then," said Repton. And the next moment he was at Nelligan's door.

"This is a very great honor, sir," said old Dan, as he appeared in a suit of decorous black. "It is, indeed, a proud day that gives me the pleasure of seeing you here."