“Downie not know of you!--not know Mr. Hammond!--come, come--this may do for a bit of quiz in those Irish newspapers that are always affecting to charge English officials with ignorance of the distinguished men here; but I cannot permit Mr. Hammond himself to throw out the aspersion, nor, indeed, can I suffer Meek, one of my oldest friends, to lie under the obloquy. I need not tell one so much more capable of appreciating these things than myself how every administration comes into office with a host of followers far more eager for place, and infinitely more confident of high deservings, than the truly capable men of the party. These 'locusts' eat up the first harvest, but, happily for humanity, they rarely live for a second.” Linton leaned back in his chair, and appeared to be taking counsel with himself, and at length, as if having formed his resolve, said,-- “Of course frankness with such a man is never a mistaken policy.” And with this muttered soliloquy again became silent. CHAPTER VII. FORGERY It was not “Flattery,” he sold, but “Hope.” Bell. We left Mr. Linton and Mr. Hammond seated opposite each other, the former lost in seeming reflection, the latter awaiting with eager expectancy for something which might explain the few strange words he had just listened to. “May I venture on a bit of confidence, Mr. Hammond?” said Linton, clearing his brow as he spoke; “you'll never betray me?” “Never--on my honor.” “Never, willingly, I well know; but I mean, will you strictly keep what I shall tell you--for yourself alone--because, as I am the only depositary of the fact, it would be inevitable ruin to me if it got about?” “I give you my solemn pledge--I promise.” “Quite enough--well--” Here he leaned on the other's shoulder, and putting his lips close to his ear, said: “Malone will retire--Repton will be chief--and”--here he prodded the listener with his finger--“Attorney-General.” “You mean me, sir--do you mean that I am to be Attor--” “Hush!” said Linton, in a long low note; “do not breathe it, even in your sleep! If I know these things, it is because I am trusted in quarters where men of far more influence are hoodwinked. Were I once to be suspected of even this much, it would be 'up' with me forever.” “My dear friend--will you pardon me for calling you so?--I 'd suffer the torture of the rack before I 'd divulge one syllable of it. I own to you, my family and my friends in general have not been patient under what they deemed the Government neglect of me.”