n this
inhospitable mansion?' He arose and opened a sort of cupboard in the wall,
scrutinising it closely with the candle. '"Give me but the superfluities of
life," says Gavarni, "and I'll not trouble you for its necessaries." What
would he say, however, to a fellow famishing with hunger in presence of
nothing but pickled mushrooms and Worcester sauce! Oh, here is a crust!
"Bread is the staff of life." On my oath, I believe so; for this eats
devilish like a walking-stick.

'Hullo! back already?' cried he, as Kearney flung wide the door and
entered. 'I suppose you hurried away back to join me at supper.'

'Thanks; but I have supped already, and at a more tempting banquet than
this I see before you.'

'Was it pleasant? was it jolly? Were the girls looking lovely? Was the
champagne-cup well iced? Was everybody charming? Tell me all about it. Let
me have second-hand pleasure, since I can't afford the new article.'

'It was pretty much like every other small ball here, where the garrison
get all the prettiest girls for partners, and take the mammas down to
supper after.'

'Cunning dogs, who secure flirtation above stairs and food below! And what
is stirring in the world? What are the gaieties in prospect? Are any of my
old flames about to get married?'

'I didn't know you had any.'

'Have I not! I believe half the parish of St. Peter's might proceed against
me for breach of promise; and if the law allowed me as many wives as
Brigham Young, I'd be still disappointing a large and interesting section
of society in the suburbs.'

'They have made a seizure on the office of the _Pike_, carried off the
press and the whole issue, and are in eager pursuit after Madden, the
editor.'

'What for? What is it all about?'

'A new ballad he has published; but which, for the matter of that, they
were singing at every corner as I came along.'

'Was it good? Did you buy a copy?'

'Buy a copy? I should think not.'

'Couldn't your patriotism stand the test of a penny?'

'It might if I wanted the production, which I certainly did not; besides,
there is a run upon this, and they were selling it at sixpence.'

'Hurrah! There's hope for Ireland after all! Shall I sing it for you, old
fellow? Not that you deserve it. English corruption has damped the little
Irish ardour that old rebellion once kindled in your heart; and if you
could get rid of your brogue, you're ready to be loyal. You shall hear it,
however, all the same.' And tak