“I have already told you that there is but one way of managing it, and that is, as the young man's life is at stake, to spare no cost.”
“And I must do that?”
“You ought, at least, remember that he's an only son, and that if you lose him—”
“Lose him!—I can't—I couldn't—I'd die—die—dead—”
“And by so shameful a death,” proceeded Cassidy, “you will not only be childless, but you will have the bitter fact to reflect on that he died in disgrace. You will blush to name him! What father would not make any sacrifice to prevent his child from meeting such a fate? It's a trying thing and a pitiable calamity to see a father ashamed to name the child that he loves.”
The old man arose, and, approaching Cassidy, said, eagerly, “How much will do? Ashamed to name you, alanna, Ghierna—Ghierna—ashamed to name you, Connor! Oh! if the world knew you, as thore, as well as I an' your poor mother knows you, they'd say that we ought to be proud to hear your name soundin' in our ears. How much will do? for, may God stringthen me, I'll do it.”
“I think about forty guineas; it may be more, and it may be less, but we will say forty.”
“Then I'll give you an ordher for it on a man that's a good mark. Give me pin an' paper, fast.”
“The paper was placed before him, and he held the pen in his hand for some time, and, ere he wrote, turned a look of deep distress on Cassidy.
“God Almighty pity me!” said he; “you see—you see that I'm a poor heart—broken creature—a ruined man I'll be—a ruined man!”