"Come, you are better now," said Kilkee, "and will be quite well when you
get some supper, and a little of the tokay, his majesty has been good
enough to send us."

"His majesty desires to know if his excellency is better," said an aide
de camp.

I muttered my most grateful acknowledgments.

"One of the court carriages is in waiting for your excellency," said a
venerable old gentleman in a tie wig, whom I recognized as the minister
for foreign affairs--as he added in a lower tone to Lord Callonby, "I
fear he has been greatly overworked lately--his exertions on the subject
of the Greek loan are well known to his majesty."

"Indeed," said Lord Callonby, with a start of surprise, "I never heard of
that before."

If it had not been for that start of amazement, I should have died of
terror. It was the only thing that showed me I was not out of my senses,
which I now concluded the old gentleman must be, for I never had heard of
the Greek loan in my life before.

"Farewell, mon cher colleague," said the venerable minister as I got into
the carriage, wondering as well I might what singular band of brotherhood
united one of his majesty's __th with the minister for foreign affairs of
the Court of Bavaria.

When I arrived at the White-cross, I found my nerves, usually proof to
any thing, so shaken and shattered, that fearing with the difficult game
before me any mistake, however trivial, might mar all my fortunes for
ever, I said a good night to my friends, and went to bed.

CHAPTER LIV.

A DISCOVERY.

"A note for Monsieur," said the waiter, awaking me at the same time from
the soundest sleep and most delightful dream. The billet was thus:--

"If your excellency does not intend to slumber during the next
twenty-four hours, it might be as well to remember that we are waiting
breakfast. Ever yours,

"Kilkee."

"It is true, then," said I--following up the delusion of my dream. "It
is true, I am really domesticated once more with the Callonbys. My suit
is prospering, and at length the long-sought, long-hoped for moment is
come--"

"Well, Harry," said Kilkee, as he dashed open the door. "Well, Harry,
how are you, better than last night, I hope?"

"Oh yes, considerably. In fact, I can't think what could have been the
matter with me; but I felt confoundedly uncomfortable."

"You did! Why, man, what can you mean; was it not a joke?"

"A joke," said I, with a start.

"Yes, to be sure. I thought it was