to time the ominous
words, "We shall see--we shall see;" a species of prophetic warning
that, come what may, can always assert its accomplishment.

With such elements of discord and discontent, the breakfast proceeded
gradually, and the broken attempts at talk had subsided into a sullen
silence, when the butler entered to say that Mr. Phillis begged to speak
a few words with Mr. Kennyfeck.

"Let him come in here," said Mrs. Kennyfeck, as her husband was rising
to leave the room. "I think, if there are to be no more blunders, we had
better be present at the conference."

"Show him in, Pearse," said Mr. Kennyfeck, in a meek voice; and the
gentleman's gentleman entered, in all that easy self-sufficiency so
peculiar to his class.

"What is it, Mr. Phillis?" said Mrs. Kennyfeck, in a commanding tone,
meant to convey the information of "where the Court sat," and to whom he
should address his pleading.

"It's a little matter on which I wanted advice, ma'am, for I am really
puzzled bow to act. You know, ma'am, that we are expecting large company
at our place in the country--Tubb--something--"

"Tubbermore," interposed Mr. Kennyfeck.

"Yes, sir, Tubbermore. Well, there have been at least twenty messages
this morning from different families, who want to know the best way of
going, and when Mr. Cashel means to go himself, and where post-horses
are to be had, and how they are to get forward where there are none, and
so on."

"Is your master not the person to dictate the answer to these queries?"
said Mrs. Kennyfeck, with her grandest air.

"Of course, ma'am, but he's not here."

"Where is he, then?" asked she, eagerly.

"He's gone, ma'am; he went last night."

"Gone! gone where?" said Mrs. Kennyfeck, with an eagerness no artifice
could cover.

"It's hard to say, ma'am; but he went down to Kingstown last night, and
sailed in the yacht; and from the preparations and sea stores taken from
the hotel, it would seem like a long cruise."

"And did he not mention anything of his intention to _you_ Mr. Phillis?"
said Mrs. Kennyfeck, with a flattering emphasis on the pronoun.

"A few lines in pencil, ma'am, dated from the harbor, was all I
received. Here they are." And he handed a piece of note-paper across the
table. The contents ran thus:--

Phillis, send word to Sir Harvey Upton's that I sha'n't dine
there to-morrow. Give the bearer of this my dressing-case,
and clothes for some days, and have the four