ent; and, from the great disparity in their ages, as well as in
all their associations, there was scarcely one point of friendly contact
in common to them.

There is a companionable element in misfortune, however, stronger than
what we discover in prosperity; and partly from this cause, and partly
from a sense of compassion, MacNaghten followed him quickly, and hailed
him by his name.

"Joe Curtis!" repeated the old man, stopping suddenly. "I submit, my
Lord, that this is an insufficient designation. I am Joseph Curtis,
Esquire, of Meagh-valley House."

"With all my heart," said MacNaghten, cordially taking his hand and
shaking it warmly, "though I think you'll suffer an old friend to be
less ceremonious with you."

"Ah! you here, Dan MacNaghten,--why, what in the name of all mischief
has led you to this place? I thought I was the only maniac in this
ward;" and he gave a harsh, grating laugh of irony at his own jesting
allusion.

"I came here partly by accident, and have loitered from choice."

"We must take care that no gentlemen have fixed this evening for a
meeting here," said Curtis, in a low, guarded whisper. "You and I,
MacNaghten, would fare badly, depend upon it. What! with our known
reputations, and the nails in our boots,--eh! the nails in our
boots,--they 'll make what's called a strong case against us! You'd
get off,--they 've nothing against you; but they 'll not let me slip
through, like last time. Did you ever know such a close thing? The
foreman, old Andrews, told me since, 'We had quite made up our minds,
sir. We 'd have said guilty without leaving the box.' Just think of
their dilemma if they had hanged me! My papers, for I took care to leave
all in writing, would have shown up the whole conspiracy. I 've set
forth the game they have been playing since the year '42. I detailed all
their machinations, and showed the secret orders they had given to each
successive Viceroy. There were three men--only three men--in all Ireland
that they dreaded! And that blundering fool Carew must rush in with his
rashness and absurdity! Who ever heard or saw the like?"

"Poor fellow!" muttered MacNaghten.

"'Poor fellow,' as much as you wish, sir; but remember that some degree
of consideration is due to me also! I was a prisoner seven weeks in
Newgate; I stood in the dock, arraigned for a murder; I was on the eve
of a false conviction and a false sentence; and there is no man living
can say what results might no