ow,
at least. But my sentiments remain the same," I concluded, "whatever
name she has."

"The divull they do!" said O'Halloran, with a grin. "Well, thin, the
quicker ye cheenge yer sintimints, the betther. Me own Nora--she's not
_Miss_ O'Halloran-an' lucky for me--she's somethin' betther--she's-MRS.
O'HALLORAN!!!"

Let the curtain fall. There, reader, you have it. We won't attempt to
enlarge--will we? We'll omit the exploding thunder-bolt-won't we? I
will quietly put an end to this chapter, so as to give you leisure to
meditate over the woes of Macrorie.

CHAPTER XXV.

RECOVERY FROM THE LAST GREAT SHOCK.--GENIALITY OF MINE HOST.--OFF AGAIN
AMONG ANTIQUITIES.--THE FENIANS.--A STARTLING REVELATION BY ONE OF THE
INNER CIRCLE.--POLITICS, POETRY, AND PATHOS.--FAR-REACHING PLANS AND
DEEP-SEATED PURPOSES.

I was to dine with O'Halloran, and, though for some time I was
overwhelmed, yet I rallied rapidly, and soon recovered. O'Halloran
himself was full of fun. The event had apparently only excited his
laughter, and appeared to him as affording material for nothing else
than endless chaff and nonsense.

As for Nora, she had been so agitated that she did not come to dinner,
nor did Marion make her appearance. This was the only thing that gave
me discomfort. O'Halloran seemed to understand how natural my mistake
was, and I supposed that he made every allowance, and all that.

We sat at table for a long tune. O'Halloran discoursed on his usual
variety of subjects. Something occurred which suggested the Fenians,
whereupon he suddenly stopped; and, looking earnestly at me, he said:

"Ye know I'm a Fenian?"

"Oh, yes."

"I make no saycrit of it," said he. "As a British officer, you're my
mortal inimee in my capaceetee as a Fenian; but at this table, and in
this house, we're nayther one thing nor the other. You're only
Macrorie, and I'm only O'Halloran. Still I don't mind talking of the
subject of Fenianism; it's an important one, and will one day take up a
great speece in histhory. I don't intind to indulge in any offinsive
objurgeetions ageenst the Saxon, nor will I mintion the wrongs of
Oireland. I'll only enloighten you as to the purpose, the maining, and
the attichood of the Fenian ordher."

With these words he rose from the table, and chatted on general
subjects, while the servants brought in the spoons, glasses, tumblers,
and several other things. Beneath the genial influence of these,
O'Halloran soon gr