or fellow
mustn't be lost for the want of a little care; and now that Dillon has
gone, there is no one here to look after him. Let us go down and see if
the post is in; I think a walk would do us good.'

Assenting to this proposition, the priest bent over me mournfully for
a moment, shook his head, and having muttered a blessing, walked out of
the room with the Major, leaving me in silence to think over all I had
overheard.

Whether it was that youth suggested the hope, or that I more quickly
imbibed an appreciation of the Doctor's character from being the
looker-on at the game, I am not exactly sure; but certainly I felt
little depressed by his gloomy forebodings respecting me, and greatly
lightened at my heart by the good news of poor Tipperary Joe.

Of all the circumstances which attended my illness, the one that most
impressed me was the warm, affectionate solicitude of my two friends,
the priest and his cousin. There was something of kindness and good
feeling in their care of me that spoke rather of a long friendship than
of the weaker ties of chance and passing acquaintance. Again I thought
of home; and while I asked myself if the events which beset my path
in Ireland could possibly have happened to me there, I could not but
acknowledge that if they had so, I could scarcely have hoped to suddenly
conjure up such faithful and benevolent friends, with no other claim,
nor other recommendation, save that of being a stranger.

The casual observation concerning my letters had, by stimulating my
curiosity, awakened my dormant energy; and by a great effort I stretched
out my hand to the little bell beside my bed, and rang it. The summons
was answered by the barelegged girl who acted as waiter in the inn. When
she had sufficiently recovered from her astonishment to comprehend my
request, I persuaded her to place a candle beside me; and having given
me the packet of letters that lay on the chimney-piece, I desired her
on no account to admit any one, but say that I had fallen into a sound
sleep, and should not be disturbed.

CHAPTER XXXI. THE LETTER-BAG

The package of letters was a large one, of all sizes. From all quarters
they came--some from home; some from my brother officers of the Guards;
some from the Castle; and even one from O'Grady.

The first I opened was a short note from Horton, the private secretary
to the viceroy. This informed me that Major Mahon had written a
statement to the duke of all the c