artingale,' chimed in Mr. Burke.

'Well, I believe that's all. No; there's another horse-Captain O'Grady's
Moddiridderoo.'

'Scratch him out with the rest,' said Mr. Burke.

'No!' said I, from the back of the room.

The word seemed electric; every eye was turned towards the quarter where
I stood; and as I moved forward towards the table the crowd receded to
permit my passage.

'Are you on the part of Mr. O'Grady, sir?' said the little man, with a
polite smile.

I bowed an affirmative.

'He does not withdraw his horse, then?' said he.

'No,' said I again.

'But you are aware, sir, that Mr. Burke is going to ride for my friend,
Mr. Molloy, here. Are you prepared with another gentleman?'

I nodded shortly.'

'His name, may I ask?' continued he. 'Mr. Hinton.'

By this time Mr. Burke, attracted by the colloquy, had approached the
table, and, stooping down, whispered some words in the president's ear.

'You will forgive me, I'm sure,' said the latter, addressing me, 'if I
ask, as the name is unknown to me, if this be a gentleman-rider?'

The blood rushed to my face and temples. I knew at once from whom this
insult proceeded. It was no time, however, to notice it, so I simply
replied--

'Mr. Hinton is an officer of the Guards, an aide-de-camp to the Lord
Lieutenant, and I beg leave respectfully to present him to you.'

The obsequious civility exhibited by the party as I pronounced these
few words were an ample _amende_ for what I had suffered a few minutes
before. Meanwhile, Mr. Burke had resumed his place at the fire, once
more surrounded by his admiring satellites.

Being accommodated with a chair at the table, I proceeded to read over
and sign the usual papers, by which I bound myself to abide by the
regulations of the course, and conform in all things to the decision of
the stewards. Scarcely had I concluded, when Mr. Burke called out--

'Who'll take eight to one on the race?'

Not a word was spoken in reply.

'Who'll take fifty to five?' cried he again.

'I will,' said a voice from the door.

'Who is that takes my bet? What is his name?' 'Tom Loftus, P.P. of
Murranakilty.'

'A better fellow nor an honester couldn't do it, said the president.

'Book your bet, sir,' said Mr. Burke; 'or if it is equally convenient
for you, you can pay it at present.'

'I never make a memorandum of such trifles,' said the priest; 'but I'll
stake the money in some decent man's hands.'

A roar of laughter follo