of
Sirach--'The knowledge of wickedness is not wisdom, neither at any time
the counsel of sinners prudence.'

Mr. Irons, of course, left Chapelizod. He took with him the hundred
guineas which Mr. Dangerfield had given him, as also, it was said, a
handsome addition made to that fund by open-handed Dr. Walsingham; but
somehow, being much pressed for time, he forgot good Mistress Irons, who
remained behind and let lodgings pretty much as usual, and never heard
from that time forth anything very distinct about him; and latterly it
was thought was, on the whole, afraid rather than desirous of his
turning up again.

Doctor Toole, indeed, related in his own fashion, at the Phoenix, some
years later, a rumour which, however, may have turned out to be no
better than smoke.

'News of Zekiel, by Jove! The prophet was found, Sir, with a friend in
the neighbourhood of Hounslow, with a brace of pistols, a mask, a
handful of slugs, and a powder-horn in his pocket, which he first gave
to a constable, and then made his compliments to a justice o' the peace,
who gave him and his friend a note of commendation to my Lord Chief
Justice, and his lordship took such a fancy to both that, by George, he
sent them in a procession in his best one-horse coach, with a guard of
honour and a chaplain, the high-sheriff dutifully attending, through the
City, where, by the king's commands, they were invested with the grand
collar of the order of the hempen cravat, Sir, and with such an
attention to their comfort they were not required to descend from their
carriage, by George, and when it drove away they remained in an easy,
genteel posture, with their hands behind their backs, in a sort of an
ecstasy, and showed their good humour by dancing a reel together with
singular lightness and agility, and keeping it up till they were both
out of breath, when they remained quiet for about half an hour to cool,
and then went off to pay their respects to the President of the College
of Surgeons,' and so forth; but I don't think Irons had pluck for a
highwayman, and I can't, therefore, altogether, believe the story.

We all know Aunt Rebecca pretty well by this time. And looking back upon
her rigorous treatment of Puddock, recorded in past chapters of this
tale, I think I can now refer it all to its true source.

She was queer, quarrelsome, and sometimes nearly intolerable; but she
was generous and off-handed, and made a settlement, reserving only a
life inter