to arrange matters with Mr. Quin's second that
night, and to bring me news in the morning as to the place where the
meeting should take place. I have often thought since, how different my
fate might have been, had I not fallen in love with Nora at that early
age; and had I not flung the wine in Quin's face, and so brought on
the duel. I might have settled down in Ireland but for that (for Miss
Quinlan was an heiress, within twenty miles of us, and Peter Burke,
of Kilwangan, left his daughter Judy L700 a year, and I might have had
either of them, had I waited a few years). But it was in my fate to be
a wanderer, and that battle with Quin sent me on my travels at a very
early age: as you shall hear anon.

I never slept sounder in my life, though I woke a little earlier than
usual; and you may be sure my first thought was of the event of the day,
for which I was fully prepared. I had ink and pen in my room--had I not
been writing those verses to Nora but the day previous, like a poor fond
fool as I was? And now I sat down and wrote a couple of letters more:
they might be the last, thought I, that I ever should write in my life.
The first was to my mother:--

'Honoured Madam'--I wrote--'This will not be given you unless I fall by
the hand of Captain Quin, whom I meet this day in the field of honour,
with sword and pistol. If I die, it is as a good Christian and a
gentleman,--how should I be otherwise when educated by such a mother as
you? I forgive all my enemies--I beg your blessing as a dutiful son.
I desire that my mare Nora, which my uncle gave me, and which I called
after the most faithless of her sex, may be returned to Castle Brady,
and beg you will give my silver-hiked hanger to Phil Purcell, the
gamekeeper. Present my duty to my uncle and Ulick, and all the girls of
MY party there. And I remain your dutiful son,

'REDMOND BARRY.'

To Nora I wrote:--

'This letter will be found in my bosom along with the token you gave me.
It will be dyed in my blood (unless I have Captain Quin's, whom I
hate, but forgive), and will be a pretty ornament for you on your
marriage-day. Wear it, and think of the poor boy to whom you gave it,
and who died (as he was always ready to do) for your sake.

'REDMOND.'

These letters being written, and sealed with my father's great silver
seal of the Barry arms, I went down to breakfast; where my mother was
waiting for me, you may be sure. We did not say a single word about what
was ta