“Yes,” he added; “and I can tell you that both the agent and I forwarned M'Mahon against suffering himself to engage in anything illegal—which was our duty as his friends you know—hem!”
“Is that possible?” said his nephew, blushing for this villianous admission.
“Quite possible,” replied the other; “however, as I said, I don't see why we should hesitate to avail ourselves of his villany.”
“That is precisely what I was about to say, sir,” replied his nephew, still musing on what he had heard.
“Right, Harry; the farm is a good thing, or will be so, at least.”
“The farm, sir! but I did not speak with reference to the farm.”
“Then with reference to what did you speak?”
“I meant, sir, that we should not hesitate to avail ourselves of his villany, in setting M'Mahon right with the public as far as we could.”
“With the whole public!—whew! Why, my good young man, I thought the days of giants and windmills had gone by.”
“Well, sir,” continued the nephew, “at all events there is one thing you must do for me. I wish you to see old Gerald Cavanagh, and as far as you can to restore his confidence in the honesty and integrity of young M'Mahon. State to him that you have reason to know that his son has a bitter enemy in the neighborhood; that great injustice had been done to him in many ways, and that you would be glad that a reconciliation should take place between the families.”