not half enjoy
the evening unless she comes down." The officers now arrived in the
entrance hall, where my uncle and aunt were standing to welcome their
guests. Of course they received them with all due honour.

"We're in a wild part of the country, Captain Oliver and gentlemen, but
we will show you, at all events, that we have hospitable intentions,
however roughly we may carry them out," said my uncle.

The great dining-hall was very soon filled, and several adjoining rooms,
the guests of inferior quality, of whom there were a good many, making
themselves happy in separate parties wherever they could find room to
sit down. Among those most active in attending to the wants of the
guests, and directing the other serving-men, were Peter Crean and Pat
Brady, who was a host in himself, for though second cousin to the bride,
he did not at all object to acting the part of a servant. As room was
scarce, I was among the picnickers outside. The feast was progressing,
when I saw Pat Brady come up to Peter Crean, pulling, for him, a
wonderfully long face.

"Faith Peter!" I heard him say, "I do not at all like his looks.
There's a hang-dog expression about him, and to my mind he's a bailiff
in disguise!"

"A what?" exclaimed Peter. "Has one of them vipers ventured into the
neighbourhood of Ballyswiggan? Faith, then, it would have been better
for him had he never seen this part of the country, for it will never do
to let him go boasting that he set his foot in it without being
discovered. Where is he?"

"He is just now outside the gate," answered Pat; "but I told two or
three of the boys to keep him talking, and on no account to let him come
beyond it. I think they have just got an idea that he will not be
altogether a welcome guest."

"I have no doubt who he is, then," observed Peter Crean. "I have been
expecting him. And, sure, he must not see the master, or he would be
spoiling the fun of to-day, and for many a long day afterwards. Here,
Pat, you go and talk to him, and I will just make arrangements to
receive him."

Peter Crean was a man of action. A small room was cleared of visitors,
a table prepared with viands and various liquors. This done, Peter
hurried out to receive the guest. His suspicions were thoroughly
confirmed on his inspection of the man.

"Your name, sir," he said, "that I may make you welcome to Ballyswiggan
Castle. My master is just now particularly engaged with a few guests,
but h