ed, on receiving the
letters signed with my name, left his home the same night and travelled
with all speed to London, where he found my father just on the eve of
leaving for Paris. Very little persuasion was necessary to induce him to
continue his journey farther. On their arrival at Paris they had gone
to O'Grady's hotel, where, securing Corny*s services, they lost not a
moment in tracking me out in the manner I have mentioned.

O'Grady's surprise was little inferior to my own, as I introduced
General Hinton and Father Loftus. But as to Mr. Rooney, he actually
believed the whole to be a dream; and even when candles were brought,
and he had taken a patient survey of the priest, he was far from
crediting that my parent was not performed by deputy, till my father's
tact and manner convinced him of his mistake.

While the priest was recounting some circumstances of his journey, I
took occasion to tell my father of O'Grady's intentions regarding Julia,
which with all the warmth of his nature he at once responded to; and
touching his glass gaily with Phil's, merely added, 'With my best
wishes.' Poor O'Grady caught up the meaning at once, and grasped his
hand with enthusiasm, while the tears started to his eyes.

It would lead me too far, and perhaps where the goodnature of my reader
might not follow me, were I to speak more of that happy evening. It is
enough to say that Father Loftus won every moment on my father, who also
was delighted with the hearty racinees of honest Paul. Their stores of
pleasantry and fun, so new to him, were poured forth with profusion; and
a party every member of which was more disposed to like one another and
be pleased, never met together.

I myself, however, was not without my feeling of impatience to reach
the drawing-room, which I took the first favourable opportunity of
effecting--only then perceiving that O'Grady had anticipated me, having
stolen away some time before.

CHAPTER LXII. CONCLUSION

It would be even more wearisome to my reader than the fact was worrying
to myself, were I to recount the steps by which my father communicated
to Lady Charlotte the intended marriages, and finally obtained her
consent to both. Fortunately, for some time previous she had been
getting tired of Paris, and was soon brought to suppose that these
little family arrangements were as much 'got up' to afford her an
agreeable surprise and a healthful stimulant to her weak nerves as for
any other ca