He consequently had come to the determination of writing again to M'Mahon upon the same subject, when chance brought them together in the market of Ballymacan.
After the usual preliminary inquiries as to health, Hycy opened the matter:-- "I asked you to lend me five-and-thirty pounds to secure Crazy Jane," said he, "and you didn't even answer my letter.

I admit I'm pretty deeply in your debt, as it is, my dear Bryan, but you know I'm safe." "I'm not at this moment thinking much of money matters, Hycy; but, as you like plain speaking, I tell you candidly that I'll lend you no money." Hycy's manner changed all at once; he looked at M'Mahon for nearly a minute, and said in quite a different tone-- "What is the cause of this coldness, Bryan?
Have I offended you ?" "Not knowingly--but you have offended me; an' that's all I'll say about it." "I'm not aware of it," replied the other---"my word and honor I'm not." Bryan felt himself in a position of peculiar difficulty; he could not openly quarrel with Hycy, unless he made up his mind to disclose the grounds of the dispute, which, as matters then stood between him and Kathleen Cavanagh, to whom he had not actually declared his affection, would have been an act of great presumption on his part.
"Good-bye, Hycy," said he; "I have tould you my mind, and now I've done with it." "With all my heart!" said the other--"that's a matter of taste on your part.

You're offended, you say; yet you choose to put the offence in your pocket.

It's all right, I suppose--but you know best.

Good-bye to you, at all events," he added; "be a good boy and take care of yourself." M'Mahon nodded with good-humored contempt in return, but spoke not.
"By all that deserves an oath," exclaimed Hycy, looking bitterly after him, "if I should live to the day of judgment I'll never forgive you your insulting conduct this day--and that I'll soon make you feel to your cost!" This misunderstanding between the two friends caused Hycy to feel much mortification and disappointment.