“Not if Mr. Repton assured me that he backed the opposite opinion,” said Jack, politely. “I thank you heartily for that speech,” said the old man, as he grasped the other's hand cordially; “you deserve, and shall have my fullest confidence.” “May I ask,” said Jack, “if this offer to buy off Merl be made in the interest of the Martins, for otherwise I really see no great object, so far as they are concerned, in the change of mastery?” “You'll have to take _my_ word for that,” said Repton, “or rather, to take the part I assume in this transaction as the evidence of it; and now, as I see that you are satisfied, will you accept of the duty of this negotiation? Will you see and speak with Merl? Urge upon him all the arguments your own ingenuity will furnish, and when you come, if you should be so driven, to the coercive category, and that you want the siege artillery, then send for _me_. Depend upon it, it will be no _brutum fulmen_ that I 'll bring up; nor will I, as Pelham said, fire with 'government powder.' My cannon shall be inscribed, like those of the old volunteers, independence or--” At any other moment Jack might have smiled at the haughty air and martial stride of the old man, as, stimulated by his words, he paced the room; but there was a sincerity and a resolution about him that offered no scope for ridicule. His very features wore a look of intrepidity that bespoke the courage that animated him. “Now, Massingbred,” said he, laying his hand on the young man's arm, “it is only because I am not free to tell another man's secret that I do not at once place you fully in possession of all I myself know of this transaction; but rely on it, you shall be informed on every point, and immediately after the issue of this negotiation with Merl, whatever be the result, you shall stand on the same footing with myself.” “You cannot suppose that I exact this confidence?” began Jack. “I only know it is your due, sir,” said Repton. “Go now,--it is not too early; see this man, and let the meeting be of the briefest, for if I were to tell you my own mind, I'd say I'd rather he should reject our offer.” “You are, I own, a little incomprehensible this morning,” said Massingbred, “but I am determined to yield you a blind obedience; and so I'm off.” “I 'll wait breakfast for you,” said Repton, as he reseated himself to his work. Repton requested Mr. Nelligan's permission to have his breakfast served in his own room, and sat for a long time impatiently awaiting Massingbred's return. He was at one time aroused by a noise below stairs, but it was not the announcement of him he looked for; and he walked anxiously to and fro in his chamber, each moment adding to the uneasiness that he felt. “Who was it that arrived half an hour ago?” asked he of the servant. “Mr. Joe, sir, the counsellor, has just come from Dublin, and is at breakfast with the master.”