The aide-de-camp slightly elevated his brows, as though to imply his sense of what it might not have become him to characterize in words. “Very strange, indeed!” repeated his Excellency; “is n't it, Belcour?” “Very strange, indeed, your Excellency,” said the other, bowing. “There could have been no disrespect in it,” said his Lordship, good-humoredly; “of _that_ I'm quite certain. Send Colonel Massingbred here.” “He's gone off, Massingbred,” said the Viceroy, as the other appeared. “So I have just learned, my Lord. I conclude he was not aware--that he was unacquainted with--” “Oh, of course, Massingbred,” broke in the Viceroy, laughing, “the fault is all with my predecessors in office; they never invited these men as they ought to have done. Have you sounded M'Casky as to the appointment?” “Yes, my Lord; he thinks 'we might do worse.'” “A qualified approval, certainly. Perhaps he meant we might select himself!” “I rather opine, my Lord, that he regards Nelligan's promotion as likely to give offence to Mr. O'Connell, unless that he be himself consulted upon it.” “Then comes the question, Who is it governs this country, Colonel Massingbred?” said the Marquis; and for the first time a flash of angry meaning darkened his cheeks. “If I be here,”--he stopped and hesitated,--“if you and I be here only to ratify appointments made by irresponsible individuals,--if we hold the reins of power only to be told where we 're to drive to,--I must own the office is not very dignified, nor am I patient enough to think it endurable.” “M'Casky only suggested that it might be advisable to see O'Connell on the subject, not, as it were, to pass him over in conferring the appointment.” “I cannot at all concur in this view, Massingbred,” said the Marquis, proudly; “there could be no such humiliation in the world as a patronage administered in this wise. Write to Nelligan; write to him to-night. Say that his abrupt departure alone prevented my making to him personally the offer of the solicitorship; add that you have my directions to place the office in his hands, and express a strong wish, on your own part, that he may not decline it.” Massingbred bowed in acquiescence, and after a pause his Excellency went on:-- “There would be no objection to your adding something to the effect that my selection of him was prompted by motives in which party has no share; that his acknowledged eminence at the bar,--a character to which even political opponents bear honorable testimony,--in fact, Massingbred,” added he, impatiently, “if the appointment should come to be questioned in the House, let us have it on record that we made it solely on motives directed to the public service. You understand me?” “I think so, my Lord,” said Massingbred, and withdrew.