“He has improved on Johnson's definition, Bagenal, and made patriotism the first as well as the last refuge of a scoundrel.” “I looked out in the House that evening, but could not see him, for I wanted him to second a motion for me.” “Indeed! of what nature?” “A most patriotic one, to this effect: that all bribes to members of either House should be in money, that we might have at least the benefit of introducing so much capital into Ireland.” “You forget, Bagenal, how it would spoil old Hickman's market: loans would then be had for less than ten per cent.” “So it would, by Jove! That shows the difficulty of legislating for conflicting interests.” This conversation was destined only to occupy the time the servant was engaged about the table, but when he had withdrawn, the Knight and his friend at once returned to the eventful theme that engaged all their anxieties, and where the altered tones of their voices and eager looks betokened the deepest interest. It would have been difficult to find two men more generally well informed, and less capable of comprehending or unravelling the complicated tissue of a business matter. At the same time, by dint of much mutual inquiry and discussion, they attained to that first and greatest of discoveries, namely, their own insufficiency to conduct the investigation, and the urgent necessity of employing some able man of law to go through all Gleeson's accounts, and ascertain the real condition of Darcy's fortune. With this prudent resolve, they parted: Darcy to his room, where he sat with unclosed eyes till morning; while Daly, who had disciplined his temperament more rigidly, soon fell fast asleep, and never awoke till roused by the voice of his servant Sandy. “You must find out the fellow that brought the note from Freney,” said Daly, the moment he opened his eyes. “I was thinking so,” said Sandy, sententiously. “You'd know him again?” “I 'd ken his twa eyes amang a thousand.” “Very well, then, set off after breakfast and search for him; you used to know where devils of this kind were to be found.” “Maybe I havna quite forgot it yet,” replied he, dryly; “but it winna do to gae there before nightfall.” “Lose no more time than you can help about it,” said Daly; “bring him here if you can find him.”