ved in my service ten
months as a page; he is scrupulously honest, active, and
intelligent, well acquainted with the duties of his station,
and competent to discharge them in the first families. I now
dismiss him at his own request.
Cecilia Mendleshaw.

"Gad! I'd rather make him start as what they call in his own country a
'Tay-boy,'" said Carrington,--"one of those bits of tarnished gold-lace
and gaiters seen about the outskirts of Dublin."

"Your honor is right, sir," said I, glad to show myself above any absurd
vanity on the score of my early beginning; "a 'Tay-boy' on the Rathmines
road, able to drive a jaunting-car and wait at table."

"That's the mark, I believe," said Pike. "Suppose, then, we say: 'Con
Cregan has served me twelve months, waited at table, and taken care of a
horse and car.'"

"Ah, sir!" said I, "sure an Irish gentleman with a 'Tay-boy' would be
finer spoken than that. It would be: 'I certify that Cornelius Cregan,
who served in my establishment as under-butler, and occasionally
assisting the coachman, is a most respectable servant, well-mannered and
respectful, having always lived in high situations, and with the most
distinguished individuals.'"

"Ah, that's it," broke in Carrington; "'understands lamps, and is
perfectly competent to make jellies, soups, and preserves.'"

"Confound it, man! you 're making him a cook."

"By Jove, so I was! It's so hard to remember what the fellow is."

"I think we may leave it to himself," said Pike; "he seems to have a
very good notion of what is necessary. So, Master Con, write your
own biography, my lad, and we 'll give it all the needful currency of
handwriting and seal."

"It's a pity you're a Papist," said another, "or you could have such a
recommendation from a 'serious family' I know of in Surrey."

"Never mind," rejoined the captain; "one signed 'P. O. Dowdlum, Bishop
of Toronia,' will do even better in the Lower Province."

"Exactly, sir; and, as I used to serve mass once, I can 'come out
strong' about my early training with 'his Grace'!"

"Very well," said Pike; "tell the tailor to take your measure for the
livery, and you'll wait on us to-day at table." With this order I
was dismissed, to con over my fictitious and speculate on my true
"character."

CHAPTER XIII. QUEBEC

As viewed from Diamond Harbour, a more striking city than Quebec is
seldom seen.

The great rock rising above the lower town, and crown