my doors against you;
you have half killed me--spoilt my gown, and I am obliged to keep my
bed. Remember, in future, to be sure of the right name before you
make an assertion. As for forgiving you, I shall think of it, and
when you return to town, you may call and receive my sentence.
Cecilia was quite frightened, poor dear girl: what a dear affectionate
child she is!--she is a treasure to me, and I don't think I ever could
part with her. She sends her regards.

"Yours,--

"C. Maelstrom."

"Come, Timothy, at all events this is better than I expected--but now
I'll tell you what I propose to do. Harcourt was with me yesterday, and
he wishes me to go down with him to --. There will be the assizes, and
the county ball, and a great deal of gaiety, and I have an idea that it
is just as well to beat the county as the town. I dine with Mr
Masterton on Friday. On Saturday I will go down and see Fleta, and on
Tuesday or Wednesday I will start with Harcourt to his father's, where
he has promised me a hearty welcome. Was there anything at Coleman
Street?"

"Yes, sir; Mr Iving said that he had just received a letter from your
correspondent, and that he wished to know if the little girl was well; I
told him that she was. Mr Iving laid the letter down on the desk, and
I read the post-mark, Dublin."

"Dublin," replied I. "I should like to find out who Melchior is--and so
I will as soon as I can."

"Well, sir, I have not finished my story. Mr Iving said, `My
correspondent wishes to know whether the education of the little girl is
attended to?' `Yes,' replied I, `it is.' `Is she at school?' `Yes,
she has been at school ever since we have been in London.' `Where is
she at school?' inquired he. Now, sir, as I never was asked that
question by him before, I did not know whether I ought to give an
answer, so I replied, `that I did not know.' `You know whether she is
in London or not, do you not?' `How should I?' replied I, `master had
put her to school before I put on his liveries.' `Does he never go to
see her?' inquired he. `I suppose so,' said I. `Then you really know
nothing about it?--then look you, my lad, I am anxious to find out where
she is at school, and the name of the people, and if you will find out
the direction for me, it will be money in your pocket, that's all.'
`Um,' replied I, `but how much?' `Why, more than you think for, my man,
it will be a ten-pound note.' `That alters th