the idea and the very cards declared unfavourably, for on examination it appeared, that in the hurry of the moment we had been playing from the whole pack!

CHAPTER XVIII.

THE

CONSEQUENCES.

Is 't wise or fitting causeless to explore

For facts against a virtuous woman's fame?

BYRON.

Upon my soul, Jack, thou art a very impudent fellow! To do you justice, I think I never saw a piece of more consummate assurance!

The Rivals.

NEVER Since the birth of Hoyle, did two of his admirers cut a more ridiculous figure than did myself and the captain's heiress. Tony, to add to our embarrassment, introduced a pair of candles-while she hid herself in the window-curtains, and I stood doggedly awaiting the result of discovery in mute astonishment. Mrs. Daly's opening salutation was astounding. This night would be the death of her!-her darling husband would not long survive a broken heart!— and, as to the best of daughters-meaning thereby Miss Lucinda-why the sooner the cold grave was her portion the better! Thus, for my unhappy partiality for piquet, it was quite clear that I would be the direct cause of annihilating a whole family, and demolish the Dalys, root and branch.

Nor was the captain, though generally a man of peace, unmoved on this occasion. Whether it was for instant action or stage effect, I shall not pretend to say, but certainly he looked very formidable, as he had tucked his old toasting-iron under his arm. To do him justice, he never attempted to draw; but as he muttered something about "reparation or satisfaction," he touched the hilt repeatedly. Captain O'Moore was still more desperate; his speech was almost the echo of his friend's, but far more truculent; for he changed the "or" into "and," insisting that I should marry on the spot, and give Captain Daly a meeting at daylight, and that into the bargain. As if the uproar was not loud enough, Tony thought proper to show that he was not insensible to the family misfortune. Approaching his young

mistress, he set up a yell that would have startled a funeral. "Warroo! warroo! warroo!"* he exclaimed, "Miss Lucy dare-arrah! tell us the worst at once, and make your parents asy, by sayin' ye are ruined !"

Now, however I might tolerate reproaches from the captain and his lady, I felt no inclination to listen to the hectoring of O'Moore, or Tony's jeremiads. With a thundering box I stretched the valet on the carpet, and changed his lament into roars of murder, that would frighten a fair. Indeed, had the noise not already awakened the household, Tony's outcries would have disturbed the sleeping beauty. Every inmate of the mansion, in all varieties of costume, was seen peeping through open doors, or eraning over the banisters; while, to my relief, and the manifest confusion of both the commanders, the cynic in night-gown and slippers added himself to the group already collected "in my lady's cham

ber."

Aylmer's appearance was the signal for a fresh display of Mother Daly's grief, and her lord's threats of vengeance; but, after the first burst, they ceased, for it was astonishing with what composure and indifference the cynic regarded this affecting scene. He requested, in the coolest tone imaginable, to be informed "Why he was awakened ?" and hinted, that if at two o'clock in the morning it was our fancy to amuse ourselves with hide-and-seek, we should not fall to loggerheads about the game; and also, confine our gambols to the lower story. Then came a general attempt at explanation; but, as we all opened together, detached portions of our respective speeches only could be heard. Mrs. Daly talked of matrimony and ruination; her husband of honourable redress; Captain O'Moore opined that an immediate meeting was unavoidable; and I muttered something, "about innocence and a fondness for piquet." After listening with polite attention, Aylmer appeared to comprehend the business tolerably; begged to speak to his young friend, meaning me, for a few moments; and without waiting a reply, beckoned me to follow, which I did, although O'Moore seemed inclined to make a demonstration toward, the door and refuse me egress. We entered iny apartment. "You have made a pretty kettle of fish of this affair," said the cynic.

I began to lay the blame on cards and rotten wood-work. "Pshaw!" he continued, "we have no time for nonsense.

*A Connaught ebullition of distress.

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Tell me, my good sir, what is it your intention to do? I promised last evening to be your friend, although I did not then anticipate how promptly my good offices would be required. You appear to have two choices-matrimony, or a fight. If you decide upon entering the holy estate, you will need a friend to assist at the ceremony, which, I presume, will be immediate." I shook my head. Nay, early marriage has its advocates. In your case it may be for the best your lady has considerable moral and military experience, and the advantage of you by five or six years. No doubt you will club pay, and form a delightful family party. Mrs. Daly will brew the punch, make the puddings, and scold the servant; the captain rock the cradle, and dry-nurse your's or anybody's babe, belonging to the establishment. And then, the example! that is worth all besides: a steady-sobervirtuous married man at sixteen! Why you will live in story!"

I could not but smile at the flattering picture of domestic felicity that I was to realize; and he continued:

"Then you are not for matrimony, I perceive; you prefer settling matters in another way: and in that case, too, you will require a friend.”

I thanked him for his kindness, and begged to commit myself entirely to his directions.

Very well," said my counsellor; "the sooner a bad business is ended the better. I presume you have no particular fancy for shooting at that scarecrow of a captain ?”

"Indeed I have not. Fire at him, under any circumstances, I shall not. Of course I must meet him, and allow him to target me for a shot or two."

"I think not. But come, we must join them. Reject matrimony altogether. Then will O'Moore insist upon an immediate shooting match. Decline wasting powder upon Daly, and turn on his coadjutor with the ferocity of a tigercat. Never under a lion's exterior was concealed a more coward heart. Do this, and I will stake an orange-peeling against Miss Lucy's character-and those are heavy oddsthat you sleep in a whole skin to-night, and suffer no more in purse than in person, excepting in reparation of the wainscot that between you and Lucy was so unfortunately broken down."

If Aylmer and I had fortified ourselves with secret council, I suspect the captains and the ladies had been similarly engaged. The scene of the interview was delicately chang

ed from the fair one's room to the commander's chamber; Miss Lucy, of course, being left to indulge in "secret sorrow." There was much awkwardness when we presented ourselves. I took courage, and commenced by bearing most honourable testimony to the moral conduct of Miss Daly and myself. "Appearances might be unfavourable; but we were young; it was foolish certainly to play cards when we should be sleeping; but, after all, it was only an error in judgment, and circumspection for the future must redeem our mistake."

During my address, which I considered very conclusive in re-establishing the lady's reputation, the captain preserved a sulky silence; O'Moore exhibited symptoms of incredulity; and Mother Daly threatened to become hysterical. With difficulty, between sobs and sighs, she made her plaint. "Mr. Bleak," meaning me, "might clear himself; but if he took the vestment, who would believe the story? Lucy-the Lord look down upon her!-had got a blast;-and nobody worth a pair of traheeins* would, in matrimony, touch her with the tongs. Blessed be God! her daughter was a gentlewoman. She had not much money, it was true, but the little she had was ready-none of your Galway securities, or Roscommon rent-charges, but Lord Tireragh's note of hand for five hundred pounds, attested by two living witnesses, and recoverable in three terms, as any attorney would declare." Then Captain O'Moore figured in. "The business," he said, " was ridiculous; the thing was in a nutshell. He was a soldier he could stand anything; but, honour bright! who the devil would believe such balderdash? Piquet was a good game-he, the captain, liked it; no man understood play better-bones and billiards, drafts or dominoes, all the same. He had lost fifty on the bellows, and won five hundred on the plate-warmer; but, by moonlight, he had never touched paper. It was all Tara-hill talk: Lucy was left without a rag of reputation, and had no more character than a priest's niece."

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'Mr. Aylmer thought "Further discussion was unnecessary; it was better to come to business at once. Might he inquire, under the present unpleasant circumstances, what was expected from his young friend ?"

*Traheeins are the legs of Connemara stockings, which case the limbs of the traveller without cramping his toes. They are much worn by gentlemen who consider shoes superfluous.

Mrs. Daly lost no time in responding. "It was a shame for Mr. Aylmer to ask such a silly question; she would have expected more sinse from an ould officer and a staid* man. Nothing at all, at all, was wanted, but that Misther Bleak should make her little girl an honest woman, that was all." And should Mr. Blake-for it was impossible to account for the fancies of young gentlemen-feel indisposed to contract matrimony at sixteen?"

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Oh! then the course was straight as a halbert. Honour bright! sod directly-no delay-ten paces-and fire away till one was nicked !"

"And who, Captain O'Moore, is it your good pleasure should be thus agreeably amused?" said I.

In reply, he pointed to the little commander, who seemed horribly alarmed at the pleasant prospect his friend's alternative placed before him, and then nodded to me.

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Allow me, sir," I replied, "to cut short this matter, by telling you plainly and decisively that I will not marry; and I altogether decline the honour of shooting at Captain Daly." What, not fight! and hold a commission in the

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regiment ?"

"Softly, gallant sir: that I have not said. Fight I will. He who presumes to doubt my courage, may prove it as speedily as he pleases; and if any man dares assert that Miss Lucinda's unhappy interview with me was anything but innocent and accidental, I shall crop his ears off, and indeed, I feel strong inclination to commence with one of the present company;' " and I fixed my eye upon the bravo. His colour waned; he looked black as midnight, clenched his fist, and appeared half inclined to strike me. I stepped back, and taking my sabre from a chair, where I had accidentally thrown it after coming from evening parade, continued: Captain O'Moore, if I am understood aright, it will be unnecessary to add a word to what I have spoken. friend (for with you I hold no farther conversation) will find me ready. I have been the cause of detaining too long from bed this good company. Come, Aylmer" I bowed formally to Captain Daly--lower still to his lady wife-brushed clothes with Philip O'Moore-and left the room followed by the cynic.

Your

Obvious reasons induced me to abandon my own chamber for a temporary shakedown on Alymer's sofa. Neither of

* Staid is synonymous with steady.