It was a mutter: Daly heard something about its being only a joke,
and not expecting to be taken up so d---- sharp; and, accepting these
sounds as an _amende honorable_ [32], again renewed his functions as
attorney.

[FOOTNOTE 32: amende honorable--(French) apology]

"Will you authorise me to see Martin Kelly, and to treat with him?
You'll find it the cheapest thing you can do; and, more than that,
it'll be what nobody can blame you for."

"How treat with him?--I owe him nothing--I don't see what I've got to
treat with him about. Am I to offer him half the property on condition
he'll consent to marry my sister? Is that what you mean?"

"No: that's not what I mean; but it'll come to much the same thing in
the end. In the first place, you must withdraw all opposition to Miss
Lynch's marriage; indeed, you must give it your direct sanction; and,
in the next place, you must make an amicable arrangement with Martin
about the division of the property."

"What--coolly give him all he has the impudence to ask?--throw up the
game altogether, and pitch the whole stakes into his lap?--Why, Daly,
you--"

"Well, Mr Lynch, finish your speech," said Daly, looking him full in
the face.

Barry had been on the point of again accusing the attorney of playing
false to him, but he paused in time; he caught Daly's eye, and did not