m. He was in a very poor way, and
glad to hear that Demirep was in Dublin, and making money. When I came
back I was in the _Hue-and-Cry_ for the assault on Sturk.

'I took no precaution, not knowing what had happened; but 'twas night
when we arrived, Duncan and I, and we went straight to Gamble's and he
concealed me. I kept close within his house, except on one night, when I
took coach. I was under necessity, as you shall hear, to visit
Chapelizod. I got out in the hollow of the road by the Knockmaroon pond,
in the park; an awful night it was--the night of the snow-storm, when
the brig was wrecked off the Black Rock, you remember. I wanted to get
some papers necessary to my case against Mary Duncan. I had the key of
the glass door; the inside fastening was broke, and there was no trouble
in getting in. But the women had sat up beyond their hour, and saw me. I
got the papers, however, and returned, having warned them not to speak.
I ventured out of doors but once more, and was took on a warrant for
assaulting Sturk. 'Twas the women talking as they did excited the
officer's suspicions.

'I have lain in prison since. The date of my committal and discharge
are, I suppose, there.'

And so ends this rough draft, with the initials, I think, in his own
hands, C. N., at the foot.

At about half-past four o'clock Nutter came out to the Mills in a coach.
He did not drive through Chapelizod; he was shy, and wished to feel his
way a little. So he came home privily by the Knockmaroon Park-gate. Poor
little Sally rose into a sort of heroine. With a wild cry, and 'Oh,
Charlie!' she threw her arms about his neck; and the 'good little
crayture,' as Magnolia was wont to call her, had fainted. Nutter said
nothing, but carried her in his arms to the sofa, and himself sobbed
very violently for about a minute, supporting her tenderly. She came to
herself very quickly, and hugged her Charlie with such a torrent of
incoherent endearments, welcomes, and benedictions as I cannot at all
undertake to describe. Nutter didn't speak. His arms were about her, and
with wet eyes, and biting his nether-lip, and smiling, he looked into
her poor little wild, delighted face with an unspeakable world of
emotion and affection beaming from the homely lines and knots of that
old mahogany countenance; and the maids smiling, blessing, courtesying,
and welcoming him home again, added to the pleasant uproar which amazed
even the tipsy coachman from the hall.