im, where
certainly the least imposing specimen of calligraphy the volume
contained now stood confessed.

'What a droll name!' said the priest, as he peered at it through his
spectacles. 'How do you pronounce it?'

While I endeavoured to indoctrinate the father into the mystery of my
Irish appellation, the mayor and the mayoress had both appended their
signatures on either page.

'Well, I suppose now we may depart at last,' said Laura; 'it's getting
very late.'

'Yes,' said I, aloud; 'we must take the road now; there is nothing more,
I fancy, Pere Jose?'

'Yes, but there is though,' said he, laughing.

At the same moment the galloping of horses and the rumble of wheels were
heard without, and a carriage drew up in the street. Down went the steps
with a crash; several people rushed along the little gallery, till the
very house shook with their tread. The door of the salon was now banged
wide, and in rushed Colonel Muddleton, followed by the count, the abbe,
and an elderly lady.

'Where is he?'--'Where is she?'--'Where is he?'--'Where is
she?'--'Where are they?' screamed they, in confusion, one after the
other.

'Laura! Laura!' cried the old colonel, clasping his daughter in his
arms; 'I didn't expect this from you!'

'Monsieur O'Leary, vous etes un----'

'Before the count could finish, the abbe interposed between us, and said
'No, no! Everything may be arranged. Tell me, in one word, is it over?'

'Is what over?' said I, in a state two degrees worse than insanity--'is
what over?'

'Are you married?' whispered he.

'No, bless your heart! never thought of it.'

'Oh, the wretch!' screamed the old lady, and went off into strong
kickings on the sofa.

[Illustration: 222-322]

'It's a bad affair,' said the abbe, in a low voice; 'take my
advice--propose to marry her at once.'

'Yes, _parbleu!_' said the little count, twisting his moustaches in a
fierce manner; 'there is but one road to take here.'

Now, though unquestionably but half an hour before, when seated beside
the lovely Laura in the garden of the chateau, such a thought would have
filled me with delight, the same proposition, accompanied by a threat,
stirred up all my indignation and resistance.

Not on compulsion, said Sir John; and truly there was reason in the
speech.

But, indeed, before I could reply, the attention of all was drawn
towards Laura herself, who from laughing violently at first had now
become hysterical, and continued to l