iss Broadhurst and Lord Colambre were saying. Alas! she could only
see their lips move; and of what they were talking, whether of music
or love, and whether the match was to be on or off; she could
only conjecture. But the diplomatic style having now descended to
waiting-maids, Mrs. Petito talked to her friends in the antechamber with
as mysterious and consequential an air and tone, as a CHARGE D'AFFAIRES,
or as the lady of a CHARGE D'AFFAIRES, could have assumed. She spoke
of HER PRIVATE BELIEF; of THE IMPRESSION LEFT UPON HER MIND; and her
CONFIDANTIAL reasons for thinking as she did; of her 'having had it
from the FOUNTAIN'S head;' and of 'her fear of any COMMITTAL of her
authorities.'

Notwithstanding all these authorities, Lord Colambre left London next
day, and pursued his way to Ireland, determined that he would see and
judge of that country for himself, and decide whether his mother's
dislike to residing there was founded on caprice or reasonable causes.

In the meantime, it was reported in London that his lordship was gone to
Ireland to make out the title to some estate, which would be necessary
for his marriage settlement with the great heiress, Miss Broadhurst.
Whether Mrs. Petito or Sir Terence O'Fay had the greater share in
raising and spreading this report, it would be difficult to determine;
but it is certain, however or by whomsoever raised, it was most useful
to Lord Clonbrony, by keeping his creditors quiet.

CHAPTER VI

The tide did not permit the packet to reach the Pigeon-house, and the
impatient Lord Colambre stepped into a boat, and was rowed across the
bay of Dublin. It was a fine summer morning. The sun shone bright on the
Wicklow mountains. He admired, he exulted in the beauty of the prospect;
and all the early associations of his childhood, and the patriotic hopes
of his riper years, swelled his heart as he approached the shores of
his native land. But scarcely had he touched his mother earth, when
the whole course of his ideas was changed; and if his heart swelled,
it swelled no more with pleasurable sensations, for instantly he found
himself surrounded and attacked by a swarm of beggars and harpies,
with strange figures and stranger tones: some craving his charity, some
snatching away his luggage, and at the same time bidding him 'never
trouble himself,' and 'never fear.' A scramble in the boat and on shore
for bags and parcels began, and an amphibious fight betwixt men, who had
one