“I'm not aware of anything he could have to write to me about now,” replied Bryan; “I wonder what can it be?”
“If you wish I shall fetch you the letter,” said Hycy, “as you have an objection I suppose to go out until the town is empty.”
“Thank you, Hycy, I'll feel obliged to you if you do; and Hycy, by the way, I am sorry that you and I ever mistook or misunderstood one another; but sich things happen to the best of friends, and why should we hope to escape?”
“Speak only for yourself, Bryan,” replied Hycy, “the misunderstanding was altogether on your side, not on mine. I always knew your value and esteemed you accordingly. I shall fetch your letter immediately.”
On returning he placed the document aforesaid in M'Mahon's hands, and said, in imitation of his friend Teddy Phats—“Come now, read her up.” Bryan opened the letter, and in the act of doing so a fifty pound note presented itself, of which, as it had been cut in two, one half fell to the ground.
“Hallo!” exclaimed Hycy, suddenly taking it up, “this looks well—what have we here? A fifty pound note!”
“Yes,” replied Bryan; “but why cut in two? here however is something written, too—let me see—
“'Accept this as an earnest of better things for important services. The fine imposed upon you has been reduced to fifty pounds—this will pay it.
“A DEEPLY OBLIGED FRIEND.'”
The two young men looked at each other for some time without speaking. At length M'Mahon's face became crimsoned with indignation!