Mr. Kennyfeck's sudden entrance not only closed the discussion, but left the debaters in the difficulty of having no concerted line of conduct respecting the new arrival; and although Mrs. Kennyfeck's eyebrows were worked with a telegraphic activity, and Miss Kennyfeck's pantomimic replies as promptly returned, it was clear that neither comprehended the other. Kaunitz lays it down as an axiom that “when two wings of an army are in presence of an enemy, and without means of rapid and certain communication, it is always better to act on the defensive than to attack, without some evident weak point of the adversary encourages a forward movement.” It is more than probable that neither Mrs. Kennyfeck nor her fair daughter had studied the authority in question, yet, with a tact quite instinctive, they proceeded to act upon it. “You are back early, Mr. Kennyfeck,” said his wife, with a tone of half indifference. Mr. Kennyfeck looked at his watch, and said it wanted twenty minutes to twelve. “Has Mr. Linton returned, pa?” asked Miss Kennyfeck. “I believe not. I have not heard that he has.” “It would be little loss if he never did!” said Aunt Fanny, as she bit the end of an obstinate thread that would not enter the eye of her needle. “Oh, Aunt Fanny!” exclaimed Olivia, in a deprecating tone. “'Pon my word, my dear, them 's my sentiments--whatever yours is.” “Mr. Cashel certainly thinks differently,” said Mrs. Kennyfeck, glad to introduce the name uppermost in all their thoughts. “I think of late there has been something like a coldness between them--You see them very rarely together. Did Mr. Cashel mention his name to you this morning, Mr. Kennyfeck?” said his wife; and by this sudden question revealing that they knew, at least, where he had been. “Mere passingly, incidentally,” said Mr. Kennyfeck, evidently amazed that his small mystery had been penetrated; then, after a slight pause, he added, very probably with a sly malice to pique curiosity, “Mr. Cashel is desirous of Mr. Linton's counsel on a step he meditates taking.” “Indeed, sir; and has he much confidence in Mr. Linton's judgment?” “In this instance, it is likely he will follow the dictates of his own, Mrs. Kennyfeck,” said the attorney, solemnly. This fencing was too much for Mrs. Kennyfeck, in whom the Job-like element was always at zero. It was an insult, too, to her understanding, that Mr. Kennyfeck should skirmish in this fashion with _her_; and so, drawing herself proudly up, she said,-- “Mr. Kennyfeck, I would wish to ask you, if you have, even upon one single occasion, discovered that _my_ knowledge of the world, _my_ tact, or _my_ intelligence, were inferior to your own?” “Never, madam; I'm sure I never disputed the--”