r Miles O'More.'

'Ha, ha! hey? Well, I don't think either remembered in the morning what
they quarrelled about,' replied Toole; 'so it went off in smoke, Sir.'

'Well, and how is Miles?'

'Why, ha, ha! he's back again, with a bill, as usual, and a horse to
sell--a good one--the black one, don't you remember? He wants five and
thirty guineas; 'tisn't worth two pounds ten. "Do you know anyone who
wants him? I would not mind taking a bill, with a couple of good names
upon it," says he. Upon my credit I believe he thought I'd buy him
myself. "Well," says I, "I think I do know a fellow that would give you
his value, and pay you cash besides," says I. 'Twas as good as a play to
see his face. "Who is he?" says he, taking me close by the arm. "The
knacker," says I. 'Twas a bite for Miles; hey? ha, ha, ha!'

'And is it true old Tresham's going to join our club at last?'

'He! hang him! he's like a brute beast, and never drinks but when he's
dry, and then small beer. But, I forgot to tell you, by all that's
lovely, they do say the charming Magnolia--a fine bouncing girl
that--is all but betrothed to Lieutenant O'Flaherty.'

Devereux laughed, and thus encouraged, Toole went on, with a wink and a
whisper.

'Why, the night of the ball, you know, he saw her home, and they say he
kissed her--by Bacchus, on both sides of the face,--at the door there,
under the porch; and you know, if he had not a right, she'd a-knocked
him down.'

'Psha! the girl's a Christian, and when she's smacked on one cheek she
turns the other. And what says the major to it?'

'Why, as it happened, he opened the door precisely as the thing
occurred; and he wished Lieutenant O'Flaherty good-night, and paid him a
visit in the morning. And they say 'tis all satisfactory; and--by Jove!
'tis good punch.' And Mrs. Irons entered with a china bowl on a tray.

CHAPTER LXIX.

CONCERNING A SECOND HURRICANE THAT RAGED IN CAPTAIN DEVEREUX'S
DRAWING-ROOM, AND RELATING HOW MRS. IRONS WAS ATTACKED WITH A SORT OF
CHOKING IN HER BED.

And the china bowl, with its silver ladle, and fine fragrance of lemon
and old malt whiskey, and a social pair of glasses, were placed on the
table by fair Mistress Irons; and Devereux filled his glass, and Toole
did likewise; and the little doctor rattled on; and Devereux threw in
his word, and finally sang a song. 'Twas a ballad, with little in the
words; but the air was sweet and plaintive, and so was the singer's
voice:--