'Oh, God forbid!—how could that be?'
'Very easily; if you set about to make her meddle and witness in what my lord does not choose.'
'Well then, I'll never mention Miss Nugent's name in it at all, if it was ever so with me. But be PLASED, sir, to write over to my lord, and ask him; I'm sure he'll remember it.'
'Write to my lord about such a trifle—trouble him about such nonsense!'
'I'd be sorry to trouble him. Then take it on my word, and believe me, sir; for I would not tell a lie, nor cheat rich or poor, if in my power, for the whole estate, nor the whole world: for there's an eye above.'
'Cant! nonsense!—Take those leases off the table; I never will sign them. Walk off; ye canting hag; it's an imposition—I will never sign them.'
'You WILL then, sir,' cried Brian, growing red with indignation; 'for the law shall make you, so it shall; and you'd as good have been civil to my mother, whatever you did—for I'll stand by her while I've life; and I know she has right, and shall have law. I saw the memorandum written before ever it went into your hands, sir, whatever became of it after; and will swear to it, too.'
'Swear away, my good friend; much your swearing will avail in your own case in a court of justice,' continued old Nick.
'And against a gentleman of my brother's established character and property,' said St. Dennis. 'What's your mother's character against a gentleman's like his?'
'Character! take care how you go to that, anyway, sir,' cried Brian.