“Now,” said he to Phil, “keep a close mouth above all things, for we must proceed with caution.  I have here a letter from Lord Cumber, in which, at my private suggestion, he declines to renew their leases.  Indeed, on serious consideration, I have recently advised him to grant no renewals, except in cases where every reliance can be placed upon the principles of the parties.  The want of a lease is a very wholesome restriction on the conduct of our enemies.  M’Slime opposes me in this, because he cannot pocket as much as usual; but though I cannot readily break with him, still, I trust, that in a short time I shall be able to turn his flank in a manner for which he is but little prepared.  I have reason to think he is tampering with O’Drive—­in fact O’Drive told me as much—­O’Drive, however, is at work for me, although honest Solomon does not suspect him.  The pious attorney, who is bestowing more of his attention to religion than ever, has got bitten by the Conversion mania, and thinks he will be charged with a neglect of his gifts, as he calls them, unless he can produce a live convert actually made by his own hands.  I accordingly suggested to O’Drive to consult him on some religious scruples that he is supposed to have felt from the perusal of a tract written by M’Slime himself.

“Why,” said Phil, “are you not aware that he gave me three or four dozen of them for gratuitous distribution, as he calls it.  Yes, it is called ‘The Religious Attorney,’ being a reconcilement between honesty and law, or a blessed union between light and darkness; by Solomon M’Slime, attorney at law.

“Which tract,” continued Val, “was written for the sole purpose of recommending himself to the notice of the religious world aforesaid, more, by the way, as an attorney than as a Christian.  And a very good speculation it proved, for, whereas he was then scarcely able to make both ends meet by mere professional roguery, and dressed in a black gown—­which you know he always wears in court—­yet he no sooner threw the cloak of religion over that, than he advanced rapidly—­and the consequence is that he is now privately a usurious discounter of bills.”

“Faith and honor, now, father, do you,tell me so?”

“It’s a fact, Philip, my son, and what is more—­but the truth is, that neither he nor I can afford to quarrel with each other.”

“Why, father? what’s that ‘more’ you were going to add?”

“At this present time, Phil, it must bo secret—­but it is arranged between him and me, that he is to succeed Harman in Beleveen; whilst you are to come in for M’Loughlin’s holding.”

“For which I shall have the pleasure,to drink your health to-night, my old boy—­upon my honor and soul you are an excellent old cock, and I’m very proud of you.”

“Go ahead, Phil; no nonsense.  But stay, are those fellows of mine come yet?—­I shall receive their informations, and have Harman in the stone jug before night.  It is a bad case of murder committed upon a man in the execution of the law, do you see, Phil, and consequently I cannot take bail.”