As the young man bent over the map, the door behind opened, and a stranger entered. “So I have found you, Fossbrooke!” cried he, “though they insisted you had left Ireland ten days ago.” “Mercy on me! Lord Wilmington!” said Sir Brook, as he shaded his eyes to stare at him. “What could have brought you here?” “I 'll tell you,” said he, dropping his voice. “I read a description so very like you in the secret report this morning, that I sent my servant Curtis, who knows you well, to see if it was not yourself; when he came back to me--for I waited for him at the end of the lane--with the assurance that I was right, I came on here. I must tell you that I took the precaution to have your landlord detained, as if for examination, at the Under-Secretary's office; and he is the only one here who knows me. Mr. Lendrick, I hope you have not forgotten me? We met some months ago on the Shannon.” “What can I offer you?” said Sir Brook. “Shall it be tea? We were just going to have it.” “I 'll take whatever you like to give me; but let us profit by the few moments I can stay. Tell me how was it you failed with the Chief Baron?” “He wouldn't have me; that's all. He maintains his right to an undivided patronage, and will accept of no dictation.” “Will he accept of your friend here? He has strong claims on him.” “As little as myself, my Lord; he grew eloquent on his public virtue, and of course became hopeless.” “Will he retire and let us compensate him?” “I believe not. He thinks the country has a vested interest in his capacity, and as he cannot be replaced, he has no right to retire.'' “He may make almost his own terms with us, Fossbrooke,” said the Viceroy. “We want to get rid of himself and an intractable Solicitor-General together. Will you try what can be done?” “Not I, my Lord. I have made my first and last advances in that quarter.” “And yet I believe you are our last chance. He told Pemberton yesterday you were the one man of ability that ever called on him with a message from a Viceroy.” “Let us leave him undisturbed in his illusion, my Lord.” “I 'd say, let us profit by it, Fossbrooke. I have been in search of you these eight days, to beg you would take the negotiation in hand. Come, Mr. Lendrick, you are interested in this; assist me in persuading Sir Brook to accept this charge. If he will undertake the mission, I am ready to give him ample powers to treat.” “I suspect, my Lord,” said Tom, “you do not know my grandfather. He is not a very manageable person to deal with.” “It is for that reason I want to place him in the hands of my old friend here.” “No, no, my Lord; it is quite hopeless. Had we never met, I might have come before him with some chance of success; but I have already prejudiced myself in his eyes, and our one interview was not very gratifying to either of us.” “I'll not give in, Fossbrooke, even though I am well aware I can do nothing to requite the service I ask of you.”