“Fifty pounds!” exclaimed the other, whilst his keen and diabolical eyes gleamed with the united spirit of avarice and villany. “Fifty pounds! well how simple and foolish some people are. Why now, if you had a dog, say a setter or a pointer, that from fear of madness you wished to get rid of, and that you had mentioned it to me, I could give you a bottle that would soon settle it; I don't go above a dog or the inferior animals, and no man that has his senses about him ought to ask me to do anything else.” “Well, then, I tell you at once that, as I said, it is not for a dog, but for a worse animal, a man, my own cousin, who, unless I absolutely contrive to poison him, will deprive me of six thousand a year. Instead of fifty I shall make the recompense a hundred, after having found that your medicine is successful.” The old villain's eye gleamed again at the prospect of such liberality. “Well now,” said he, “see what it is for a pious man to forget his devotions, even for one day. I forgot to say my Leadan Wurrah this mornin', and that is the raison that your temptation has overcome me. You must call then to-morrow night, because I have nothing now, barrin' what 'ud excite the bowels, and it seems that isn't what you want; but if you be down here about this same hour to-morrow night, you shall have what will put your enemy out of the way.” “That will do then,” replied Greatrakes, “and I shall depend on you.” “Ay,” replied the old villain, “but remember that the act is not mine but your own. I simply furnish you with the necessary means--your own act will be to apply them.” On leaving the hut, Greatrakes was highly gratified on finding that Barney Casey had overheard their whole conversation. “You will serve as a corroborative evidence,” said he. The herbalist, at all events, was entrapped, and not only his disposition to sell botanical poisons, but his habit of doing so, was clearly proved to the benevolent magistrate. On the next night he got the poison, and having consulted with Casey, he said he would not urge the matter for a few days, as he wished, in the most private way possible, to procure further evidence against the guilty parties. In the meantime, every preparation was made in both families for Woodward's wedding. The old peer, who had cross-examined his niece upon the subject, discovered her attachment to Woodward; and as he wished to see her settled before his death with a gentlemanly and respectable husband--a man who would be capable of taking care of the property which he must necessarily leave her, as she was his favorite and his heiress--and besides, he loved her as a daughter--he was resolved that Woodward and she should be united.”