Do you ever hunt?"
"Oh yes,--at home in county Clare. All Irishmen hunt."
"I wish you would go down to him and see him. He would be delighted
to have you."
Phineas thought over the proposition before he answered it, and then
made the reply that he had made once before. "I would do so, Lady
Laura,--but that I have no money for hunting in England."
"Alas, alas!" said she, smiling. "How that hits one on every side!"
"I might manage it,--for a couple of days,--in March."
"Do not do what you think you ought not to do," said Lady Laura.
"No; certainly. But I should like it, and if I can I will."
"He could mount you, I have no doubt. He has no other expense now,
and keeps a stable full of horses. I think he has seven or eight. And
now tell me, Mr. Finn; when are you going to charm the House? Or is
it your first intention to strike terror?"
He blushed,--he knew that he blushed as he answered. "Oh, I suppose I
shall make some sort of attempt before long. I can't bear the idea of
being a bore."
"I think you ought to speak, Mr. Finn."
"I do not know about that, but I certainly mean to try. There will be
lots of opportunities about the new Reform Bill. Of course you know
that Mr. Mildmay is going to bring it in at once. You hear all that
from Mr.
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