I
entered the room, he lifted up his head and looked about him, evidently
wondering where he was. At length he rose to his feet, and with
unsteady steps began to pace backwards and forwards.

"This won't do," he said to himself. "I am not in a fit condition, I
have a notion, to execute this writ. However, it must be done. That
liquor was not bad, or I should not feel as comfortable as I do. If now
I can get a basin of water, and pour some of the cold liquid down my
throat, I shall be soon all to rights again. I wonder when that foolish
old steward will come back. He seemed to fancy that I had some favour
to bestow on his master by the way he treated me. However, these Irish
have very poor wits, and it is no hard matter to impose on them."

While he was speaking, Peter opened the door. The stranger made his
request, with which he promised to comply. In a short time, Pat
appeared with a basin and a jug of water. "I am your man now,"
exclaimed Mr Quelch, having dipped his head several times in the cold
water, "and shall be happy to pay my respects to your master."

"To be sure, sir, to be sure," answered Pat. "He is with his friends in
the great hall, and you will be welcome as all gentlemen from England
are sure to be. You have only to go in and make your bow and give your
message, and depend upon it you will get a civil answer, whatever else
you get, and be requested to sit down and make yourself happy with the
rest."

Peter, on this, led the way, followed by Mr Quelch. He did not observe
that a number of women and others who had been feasting outside brought
up the rear. A large party followed him into the hall, where he
enquired for Mr Kilcullin, as he said, that he might make no mistake.
"There he is to be sure, at the end of his table, where a gentleman,
with a beautiful wife always should be," answered Peter, pointing to the
lord of the mansion, who, with his guests, appeared to be enjoying
himself amazingly without any consciousness of the approach of a
bailiff.

"Your servant, sir," said Mr Quelch, advancing towards him, and drawing
from his pocket a long document.

"The same to you, I beg your pardon, what is your name?" said Mr
Kilcullin, with a complacent smile. "You are welcome to Ballyswiggan,
as all honest men are, and if they are not honest, by the powers they
had better keep away! And what is that paper with which you are about
to favour me?"

"Perhaps, sir, you will read it," sai