“What do they want?” quoth Anthony Blake; “can't they have patience? Isn't the church trembling, and property not worth two years' purchase?”
“Upon my life!” whispered Lord Morpeth, “I can't comprehend them. I fear we have been only but too good-natured!—don't you think so?”
And so they pondered over their difficulties, but never a man among them could suggest a remedy for their new demand, nor make out a concession which had not been already made.
“Did you butter Dan?” said Anthony.
“Ay, and offered him the 'rolls' too,” said Sheil.
“It's no use,” interposed Pierce; “he's not to be caught.”
“Could n't ye make Tom Steele Bishop of Cashel?”
“He wouldn't take it,” groaned the viceroy.
“Is Mr. Arkips a privy councillor?”
“No; but he might if he liked. There's no use in these trifles.”