ormed me what these
conditions were. "She took out her pocket-book, and told me," says Theo,
"what days she was engaged abroad and at home. On Monday she received a
Duke and a Duchess, with several other members of my lord's house,
and their ladies. On Tuesday came more earls, two bishops, and an
ambassador. 'Of course you won't come on them days?' says the Countess.
'Now you are so poor, you know, that fine company ain't no good for you.
Lord bless you! father never dines on our company days! he don't
like it; he takes a bit of cold meat anyways.' On which," says Theo,
laughing, "I told her that Mr. Warrington did not care for any but the
best of company, and proposed that she should ask us on some day when
the Archbishop of Canterbury dined with her, and his Grace must give
us a lift home in his coach to Lambeth. And she is an economical little
person, too," continues Theo. "'I thought of bringing with me some of
my baby's caps and things, which his lordship has outgrown 'em, but they
may be wanted again, you know, my dear.' And so we lose that addition
to our wardrobe," says Theo, smiling, "and Molly and I must do our best
without her ladyship's charity. 'When people are poor, they are poor,'
the Countess said, with her usual outspokenness, 'and must get on the
best they can. What we shall do for that poor Maria, goodness only
knows! we can't ask her to see us as we can you, though you are so
poor: but an earl's daughter to marry a play-actor! La, my dear, it's
dreadful: his Majesty and the Princess have both spoken of it! Every
other noble family in this kingdom as has ever heard of it pities us;
though I have a plan for helping those poor unhappy people, and have
sent down Simons, my groom of the chambers, to tell them on it.' This
plan was, that Hagan, who had kept almost all his terms at Dublin
College, should return thither and take his degree, and enter into holy
orders, 'when we will provide him with a chaplaincy at home, you know,'
Lady Castlewood added." And I may mention here, that this benevolent
plan was executed a score of months later; when I was enabled myself to
be of service to Mr. Hagan, who was one of the kindest and best of
our friends during our own time of want and distress. Castlewood
then executed his promise loyally enough, got orders and a colonial
appointment for Hagan, who distinguished himself both as soldier and
preacher, as we shall presently hear; but not a guinea did his lordship
spare