This, however, was a determination to which they had come recently themselves, and one portion of John's business to the metropolis was connected with it.
On the day previous to Purcel's visit to M'Carthy, that young man had received the following short and somewhat mysterious communication from the country:-- "Mr.M'Carthy .-- Sir--If you wish to save some of Mr.Purcel's family--save them all you cannot--and if you have courage, and isn't afraid to risk your life, you will come down to Longshot Lodge and wait there till you here more from 'One that has proved himself your Friend'." This determined M'Carthy; and when John Purcel asked him to spend the Christmas with them, he felt gratified at the alacrity with which the other embraced his offer.

The next morning they started for Longshot Lodge, and in due time were cordially greeted by the proctor and his family.
The day before Christmas--universally known as Christmas Eve--at length arrived.

On that morning, our friend Mr.Temple and his family were seated at breakfast with easy and cheerful hearts, when the following conversation took place; and we introduce it for the purpose of gratifying our readers, who, we are certain, will rejoice in hearing the circumstances that form its subject matter.
"Charles, my dear, I always knew that my dear grandpapa was a kind and forgiving man; and, to tell the truth, I felt a conviction that such sincerity of heart, and such unexampled purity of purpose as yours, would not be permitted long to suffer.

Read the letter again my love." Her husband, whose mild features were absolutely radiant with an expression of delight--an expression that was elevated, besides, with a glow of fervent and devotional feeling--now read the letter again, which was to the following effect:-- "My dear Maria,--I do not think that a man of my years--now near seventy-two--who feels how many duties he has neglected in this life, and who, consequently, knows how much he requires to be forgiven, ought any longer to class himself with those who are disposed to withhold their pardon from human error.

I wrote some time ago to your father, requesting, nay, commanding him, to suffer himself to be reconciled to you; but his reply was, that, although he was not averse to it in due time, yet he said that for the present he must decline it--not so much, he added, for want of affection for you, as that he might the more strongly manifest a sense of his displeasure at your conduct, in throwing yourself away upon an 'educated beggar.'" The hectic of a moment, as Sterne beautifully says, came across his fine and handsome features as he uttered the words; and he added, "He forgets, my love, that my family is not, as your grandpapa says, inferior to his own." "Do not dwell on that, dearest Charles," she added, "but let us hear good old grandpapa out." "No, my dear Maria, I differ with your papa; Mr.Temple was not an educated beggar, but an educated and accomplished gentleman, whose family, in point of blood and birth; is equal even to ours.