But often as they had before sufficed to amuse his Lordship, they seemed a failure now; for he listened, if not with impatience, yet with actual indifference, and seemed more than once as if about to stop the narrative by the abrupt question, "How can this possibly interest _me?_"
Heffernan read the expression, and felt it as plainly as though it were spoken.
"I am tedious, my Lord," said he, whilst a slight flush colored the middle of his cheek; "perhaps I only weary you."
"He must be a fastidious hearer who could weary of Mr. Heffernan's company," said his Lordship, with a smile so ambiguous that Heffernan resumed with even greater embarrassment,--
"I was about to observe, my Lord, that this same member for Mayo has become much more tractable. He evidently sees the necessity of confirming his new position, and, I am confident, with very little notice, might be con-verted into a stanch Government supporter."
"Your old favorite theory, Heffernan," said the Secretary, laughing; "to warm these Popish grubs into Protestant butterflies by the sunshine of kingly favor, forgetting the while that 'the winter of their discontent' is never far distant. But please to remember, besides, that gold mines will not last forever,--the fountain of honor will at last run dry; and if--"
"I ask pardon, my Lord," interrupted Heffernan. "I only alluded to those favors which cost the Minister little, and the Crown still less,--that social acceptance from the Court here upon which some of your Irish friends set great store. If you could find an opportunity of suggesting something of this kind, or if your Lordship's successor--"
"Heaven pity him!" exclaimed Lord Castlereagh. "He will have enough on his hands, without petty embarrassments of this sort. Without you have promised, Heffernan," added he, hastily. "If you have already made any pledge, of course we must sustain your credit."
"I, my Lord! I trust you know my discretion better than to suspect me. I merely threw out the suggestion from supposing that your Lordship's interest in our poor concerns here might outlive your translation to a more distinguished position."
There was a tone of covert impertinence in the accent, as well as the words, which, while Lord Castlereagh was quick enough to perceive, he was too shrewd to mark by any notice.