As the young man bent over the map, the door behind opened, and a stranger entered. “So I have found you, Fossbrooke!” cried he, “though they insisted you had left Ireland ten days ago.”
“Mercy on me! Lord Wilmington!” said Sir Brook, as he shaded his eyes to stare at him. “What could have brought you here?”
“I 'll tell you,” said he, dropping his voice. “I read a description so very like you in the secret report this morning, that I sent my servant Curtis, who knows you well, to see if it was not yourself; when he came back to me—for I waited for him at the end of the lane—with the assurance that I was right, I came on here. I must tell you that I took the precaution to have your landlord detained, as if for examination, at the Under-Secretary's office; and he is the only one here who knows me. Mr. Lendrick, I hope you have not forgotten me? We met some months ago on the Shannon.”
“What can I offer you?” said Sir Brook. “Shall it be tea? We were just going to have it.”
“I 'll take whatever you like to give me; but let us profit by the few moments I can stay. Tell me how was it you failed with the Chief Baron?”
“He wouldn't have me; that's all. He maintains his right to an undivided patronage, and will accept of no dictation.”
“Will he accept of your friend here? He has strong claims on him.”
“As little as myself, my Lord; he grew eloquent on his public virtue, and of course became hopeless.”
“Will he retire and let us compensate him?”
“I believe not. He thinks the country has a vested interest in his capacity, and as he cannot be replaced, he has no right to retire.''