“Is it the presumption of a son of mine seeking an alliance with the daughter of Maurice Darcy that appears so very impossible?” said Hickman, with a hissing utterance of each word, that bespoke a fierce conflict of passion within him. “Certainly not, sir,” replied Nalty, hastily excusing himself. “I am well aware which party contributes most to such a compact. Mr. Beecham O'Reilly might look far higher--” “Wherein lies the impossibility you speak of, then?” rejoined O'Reilly, sternly. “I need scarcely remind _you_, sir,” said Nalty, with an air of deep humility, “_you_ that have seen so much more of life than I have, of what inveterate prejudices these old families, as they like to call themselves, are made up; that, creating a false standard of rank, they adhere to its distinctions with a tenacity far greater than what they exhibit towards the real attributes of fortune. They seem to adopt for their creed the words of the old song,-- “The King may make a Baron bold, Or an Earl of any fool, sir, But with all his power, and all his gold He can never make an O'Toole, sir.” “These are very allowable feelings when sustained by wealth and fortune,” said O'Reilly, quietly. “I verily believe their influence is greater in adversity,” said Nalty; “they seem to have a force of consolation that no misery can rob them of. Besides, in this case--for we should not lose sight of the matter that concerns us most--we must not forget that they regard your family in the light of oppressors. I am well aware that you have acted legally and safely throughout; but still--let us concede something to human prejudices and passions--is it unreasonable to suppose that they charge you and yours with their own downfall?” “The more natural our desire to repair the apparent wrong.” “Very true on _your_ part, but not perhaps the more necessary on theirs to accept the amende.” “That will very much depend, I think, on the way of its being proffered. Lady Eleanor, cold, haughty, and reserved as she is to the world, has always extended a degree of cordiality and kindness towards my father; his age, his infirmities, a seeming simplicity in his character, have had their influence. I trust greatly to this feeling, and to the effect of a request made by an old man, as if from his death-bed. My father is not deficient in the tact to make an appeal of this kind very powerful; at all events, his heart is in the scheme, and nothing short of that would have induced me to venture on this long and dreary journey at such a season. Should he only succeed in gaining an influence over Lady Eleanor, through pity or any other motive, we are certain to succeed. The Knight, I feel sure, would not oppose; and as for the young lady, a handsome young fellow with a large fortune can scarcely be deemed very objectionable.”