"And now," said the parson, with some little hesitation, "my difficulty
commences. We country rectors are never rich; but when we've nine
children, Ballindine, it's rare to find us with money in our pockets.
You must advance me a little cash for the emergencies of the road."

"My dear fellow! Of course the expense must be my own. I'll send you
down a note between this and then; I haven't enough about me now. Or,
stay--I'll give you a cheque," and he turned into the house, and wrote
him a cheque for twenty pounds.

That'll get the coat into the bargain, thought the rector, as he
rather uncomfortably shuffled the bit of paper into his pocket. He had
still a gentleman's dislike to be paid for his services. But then,
Necessity--how stern she is! He literally could not have gone without
it.




XXVII. MR LYNCH'S LAST RESOURCE


On the following morning Lord Ballindine as he had appointed to do,
drove over to Dunmore, to settle with Martin about the money, and, if
necessary, to go with him to the attorney's office in Tuam. Martin had
as yet given Daly no answer respecting Barry Lynch's last proposal;
and though poor Anty's health made it hardly necessary that any answer
should be given, still Lord Ballindine had promised to see the
attorney, if Martin thought it necessary.