“Eh,--how? where?” cried the lawyer, sharply. “In Reeves _versus_ Dockery, and another, sir, in Hilary, 24. It was _I_ supplied the instructions--” “To be sure,--perfectly right. Maurice Scanlan; isn't that the name? You did the thing well, sir; and if we failed, we retreated without dishonor.” “That was a grand shot you fired at the Bench, sir, when all was over,” said Scanlan. “I don't suppose they ever got such a complete 'set down' before.” “I forget it,” said Repton, but with a bright twinkle of his eye, which more than contradicted his words. “Then, sir, it's more than their Lordships ever will,” said Scanlan. “The Chief Baron it was,” said he, addressing Martin, “that overruled every objection made by Counsellor Repton, and at last declared that he would n't hear any more citations whatsoever. 'But I have a stronger case still, my Lord,' says the Counsellor. 'I 'll not hear it, sir,' said the Court. 'It is in Crewe and Fust, Term Reports, page 1,438.' “'I don't care where it is, sir,' was the answer. “'In a charge delivered by Lord Eldon--' “'Oh, let us hear my Lord Eldon,' said Plumridge, the Puisne Judge, who was rather ashamed of the Chief Baron's severity. 'Let us hear my Lord Eldon.' “'Here it is, my Lords,' said the Counsellor, opening the volume, and laying his hand upon the page,--'Crewe and Fust's Pleas of the Crown, page 1,438. My Lord Eldon says, “I may here observe the Courts of Law in Ireland are _generally_ wrong! The Court of Exchequer is _always_ wrong!”'” Repton tried to smother his own delighted laugh at the reminiscence, but all in vain; it burst from him long and joyously; and as he shook Scanlan's hand, he said, “The incident loses nothing by your telling, sir; you have done it admirable justice.” “You make me very proud, indeed, Counsellor,” said Scanlan, who really did look overjoyed at the speech. “Have you any news for us, Scanlan?” said Martin, as they entered the library. “Yes, sir; the Ministry is out.” “We know that already, man!” “And the Marquis of Reckington comes here as Lord-Lieutenant.” “That we know also.” “Colonel Massingbred to be Chief Sec--” “Moore Massingbred!” cried both, in a breath. “Yes, sir; he that was a Treasury Lord.” “Are you quite sure of this, Scanlan?” asked Martin. “I had it from Groves, sir, at the Castle, yesterday morning, who told me there would be an immediate dissolution, and showed me a list of Government candidates.” “You may talk them all over together, then,” said Martin, “for I 'm heartily tired of politics this morning.” And so saying, he left them. CHAPTER XIX. A STUDIO