“He may make almost his own terms with us, Fossbrooke,” said the Viceroy. “We want to get rid of himself and an intractable Solicitor-General together. Will you try what can be done?”
“Not I, my Lord. I have made my first and last advances in that quarter.”
“And yet I believe you are our last chance. He told Pemberton yesterday you were the one man of ability that ever called on him with a message from a Viceroy.”
“Let us leave him undisturbed in his illusion, my Lord.”
“I 'd say, let us profit by it, Fossbrooke. I have been in search of you these eight days, to beg you would take the negotiation in hand. Come, Mr. Lendrick, you are interested in this; assist me in persuading Sir Brook to accept this charge. If he will undertake the mission, I am ready to give him ample powers to treat.”
“I suspect, my Lord,” said Tom, “you do not know my grandfather. He is not a very manageable person to deal with.”
“It is for that reason I want to place him in the hands of my old friend here.”
“No, no, my Lord; it is quite hopeless. Had we never met, I might have come before him with some chance of success; but I have already prejudiced myself in his eyes, and our one interview was not very gratifying to either of us.”
“I'll not give in, Fossbrooke, even though I am well aware I can do nothing to requite the service I ask of you.”
“We leave Ireland to-morrow evening. We have a project which requires our presence in the island of Sardinia. We are about to make our fortunes, my Lord, and I 'm sure you 're not the man to throw any obstacle in the way.”