Corner
was a picture, supplied by Mr. Aloysius Doyle, of the statue itself. In
the bottom left-hand corner was a photograph of the Viceregal Lodge in
the Phoenix Park, and opposite it a portrait of the Lord-Lieutenant in
his state robes. The whole left-hand side of the address was occupied
by an immensely complicated design made up of spirals, serpents, and
trumpet pattern ornaments, which twisted in and out of each other in
a way most bewildering to the eye. This was supposed to represent the
manner in which ancient Irish artists made the letter "t," when they
were not in a hurry. "T" is the first letter of the word "to" with
which the actual address began. The words "Excellency," "Lord," and
"Lieutenant" were similarly honoured with capital letters of Celtic
design, but inferior size. "Ireland," which came on a line to itself,
was blazoned in red and green, on a background of dull gold, laid on
smoothly, and afterwards dinted here and there with some instrument
which must have resembled a blunt pin. The rest of the letter-press was
done in crooked, angular characters, very ornamental to look at, but
most difficult to read.

"It's a good address, so it is," said Doyle, "and worth the money,
though, mind you, it was a big lot we gave for it. A cheaper one would
have done well enough."

"I call it cheap at the price," said Dr. O'Grady. "I'd no idea you could
get so much for L4. Now what about the bouquet?"

"I have it in a jug of water," said Doyle, "under the counter of the
bar. I thought it would be better in water the way it would be fresh."

"Quite right. But be sure you wipe the stalks before you give it to
Mrs. Gregg. It doesn't so much matter about Lady Chesterton. She must
be pretty well accustomed to handling damp bouquets. But I'd be sorry
to spoil Mrs. Gregg's new gloves. She's sure to have new gloves. By the
way, what's being done about getting Mary Ellen ready? That girl can't
be trusted to dress herself."

"Mrs. Gregg is putting the clothes on her this minute," said Doyle,
"above in the best bedroom. She said she'd do it early so as she'd have
time after to go home and dress herself."

"There's been no trouble with Moriarty, I suppose? I told you about the
way he threatened me, didn't I?"

"He hasn't said a word to me, but he's a fellow I wouldn't trust further
than I can see him, and he's had an ugly look about him this three days,
like as if he had some mischief in his mind."

"I wouldn't trust