‘All this must have occurred to-day,’ thought Dick; ‘there were no evidences of these changes when I left this morning! Was it the backwater of my disgrace, I wonder, that has overwhelmed poor Gill?’ thought he, ‘or can I detect Miss Betty’s fine Roman hand in this incident?’
In proportion to the little love he bore Miss O’Shea, were his convictions the stronger that she was the cause of all mischief. She was one of those who took very ‘utilitarian’ notions of his own career, and he bore her small gratitude for the solicitude. There were short sentences in pencil along the margin of the chief book in Kate’s handwriting which could not fail to strike him as he read them, indicating as they did her difficulty, if not utter incapacity, to deal with the condition of the estate. Thus:—
‘There is no warranty for this concession. It cannot be continued.’—‘The notice in this case was duly served, and Gill knows that it was to papa’s generosity they were indebted for remaining.’—‘These arrears have never been paid, on that point I am positive!’—‘Malone’s holding was not fairly measured, he has a just claim to compensation, and shall have it.’—‘Hannigan’s right to tenancy must not be disputed, but cannot be used as a precedent by others on the same part of the estate, and I will state why.’—‘More of Peter Gill’s conciliatory policy! The Regans, for having been twice in gaol, and once indicted, and nearly convicted of Ribbonism, have established a claim to live rent-free! This I will promise to rectify.’—‘I shall make no more allowances for improvements without a guarantee, and a penalty besides on non-completion.’
And last of all came these ominous words:—
‘It will thus be seen that our rent-roll since ‘64 has been progressively decreasing, and that we have only been able to supply our expenses by sales of property. Dick must be spoken to on this, and at once.’
Several entries had been already rubbed out, and it was clear that she had been occupied in the task of erasion on that very night. Poor girl! her sleep was the heavy repose of one utterly exhausted; and her closely clasped lips and corrugated brow showed in what frame of intense thought she had sunk to rest. He closed the book noiselessly, as he looked at her, replaced the various objects on the table, and rose to steal quietly away.
The accidental movement of a chair, however, startled her; she turned, and leaning on her elbow, she saw him as he tried to move away. ‘Don’t go, Dick, don’t go. I’m awake, and quite fresh again. Is it late?’
‘It’s not far from one o’clock,’ said he, half-roughly, to hide his emotion; for her worn and wearied features struck him now more forcibly than when she slept.
‘And are you only returned now? How hungry you must be. Poor fellow—have you dined to-day?’
‘Yes; I got to Owen Molloy’s as they were straining the potatoes, and sat down with them, and ate very heartily too.’