“He will refer me to his solicitor, sir,--Mr. Kennedy, of Hume Street,--a very respectable man, no higher in the profession, but I may remark, in confidence, one who has no objection to a suit in equity or a trial at bar. It is not money Hickman wants, sir. He is perfectly satisfied with his security.” “What the devil is it, then? He's not Shylock, is he?” said Darcy, laughing. “Not very unlike, perhaps, sir; but in the present instance, it is your influence with the Government he desires.” “But I have none, Gleeson,--actually none. No man knows that better than you do. I could not make a gauger or a tide-waiter to-morrow.” “But you might, sir,--you might make a peer of the realm if you wished it. Hickman knows this; and whatever scruples _you_ might have in adopting the necessary steps, _his_ conscience could never recognize them as worthy a moment's consideration.” “This is a topic I 'll scarcely discuss with him,” said the Knight, proudly. “I never, so far as I know, promised to pay a percentage in my principles as well as in my gold. Mr. Hickman has a fair claim on the one; on the other, neither he nor any other man shall make an unjust demand. I am not of Christie Ford's mind,” added he, laughingly. “He says, Gleeson, that if the English are bent on taking away _our_ Parliament, the only revenge we have left is to spoil _their_ peerage. This is but a sorry theme to joke upon, after all; and, to come back, what say you to trying my plan? I am to meet the old fellow at dinner, on Wednesday next, at Lord Castlereagh's.” “Indeed, sir!” said Gleeson, with a mixture of surprise and agitation greatly disproportioned to the intelligence. “Yes. Why does that astonish you? The Secretary is too shrewd to neglect such men as these; they are the rising influences of Ireland.” Gleeson muttered a half assent; but evidently too much occupied with his own reflections to pay due attention to the Knight's remark, continued to himself, “on Wednesday!” then added aloud, “On Monday he is to be in Kildare. He told me he would remain there to receive his rents, and on Wednesday return to town. I believe, sir, there may be good counsel in your words. I 'll try on Monday. I 'll follow him down to Kildare, and as the papers relative to the abbey property are all in readiness, I'll endeavor to conclude that at once. So you are to meet at dinner?” “That same dinner-party seems to puzzle you,” said the Knight, smiling. “No, not at all, sir,” replied Gleeson, hurriedly. “You were desirous of getting home next week to meet Mr. Lionel--Captain Darcy I must call him; if this arrangement can be made, there will be no difficulty in your return. But of course you will not leave town before it is completed.”