CHAPTER XV.
DIPLOMACY.
About a week after the last conversation that has been related as having taken place at the Kanturk Hotel, Mr.Mollett junior was on his way to Castle Richmond.

He had on that occasion stated his intention of making such a journey with the view of "freshening the old gentleman up a bit;" and although his father did all in his power to prevent the journey, going so far on one occasion as to swear that if it was made he would throw over the game altogether, nevertheless Aby persevered.
"You may leave the boards whenever you like, governor," said Aby.

"I know quite enough of the part to carry on the play." "You think you do," said the father in his anger; "but you'll find yourself in the dark yet before you've done." And then again he expostulated in a different tone.

"You'll ruin it all, Aby; you will indeed; you don't know all the circumstances; indeed you don't." "Don't I ?" said Aby.

"Then I'll not be long learning them." The father did what he could; but he had no means of keeping his son at home, and so Aby went.