“Upon my conscience,” replied Lanigan, “whether he was a good gardener or not is more than I know; but one thing I do know, that he didn’t hould his situation long, and mismanaged his orchard disgracefully; and, indeed, like many more of his tribe, he got his walkin’ papers in double quick—­was dismissed without a characther—­ay, and his wife, like many another gardener’s wife, got a habit of stalin’ the apples.  However, I wish Mr. Malcomson, that you, who do undherstand gardenin’, would thry this fellow, because I want to know whether he’s an imposthor or not.”

“Weel,” replied Malcomson, “I dinna care if I do.  We’ll soon find that out.  Come wi’ me and Maisther Lanigan here, and we’ll see what you ken about the sceentific profession.”

They accordingly went to the garden, and it is unnecessary to say that Reilly not only bore the examination well, but proved himself by far the better botanist of the two.  He tempered his answers, however, in such a way as not to allow the gardener’s vanity to be hurt, in which case he feared that he might have little chance of being engaged.

CHAPTER XV.—­More of Whitecraft’s Plots and Pranks

On the Sunday following, Miss Folliard, as was her usual custom, attended divine service at her parish church, accompanied by the virtuous Miss Herbert, who scarcely ever let her for a moment out of her sight, and, in fact, added grievously to the misery of her life.  After service had been concluded, she waited until Mr. Brown had descended from the pulpit, when she accosted him, and expressed a wish to have some private conversation with him in the vestry-room.  To this room they were about to proceed, when Miss Herbert advanced with an evident intention of accompanying them.

“Mr. Brown,” said the Cooleen Bawn, looking at him significantly, “I wish that our interview should be private.”

“Certainly, my dear Miss Folliard, and so it shall be.  Pray, who is this lady?”

“I am forced, sir, to call her my maid.”

Mr. Brown was startled a good deal, not only at the words, but the tone in which they were uttered.

“Madam,” said he, “you will please to remain here until your mistress shall return to you, or, if you wish, you can amuse yourself by reading the inscriptions on the tombstones.”

“Oh, but I have been ordered,” replied Miss Herbert, “by her father and another gentleman, not to let her out of my sight.”

Mr. Brown, understanding that something was wrong, now looked at her more closely, after which, with a withering frown, he said,

“I think I know you, madam, and I am very sorry to hear that you are an attendant upon this amiable lady.  Remain where you are, and don’t attempt to intrude yourself as an ear-witness to any communication Miss Folliard may have to make to me.”