king place: on the contrary, we talked of anything but that; about
who was at church the day before, and about my wanting new clothes now
I was grown so tall. She said I must have a suit against winter,
if--if--she could afford it. She winced rather at the 'if,' Heaven bless
her! I knew what was in her mind. And then she fell to telling me about
the black pig that must be killed, and that she had found the speckled
hen's nest that morning, whose eggs I liked so, and other such trifling
talk. Some of these eggs were for breakfast, and I ate them with a
good appetite; but in helping myself to salt I spilled it, on which she
started up with a scream. 'THANK GOD,' said she, 'IT'S FALLEN TOWARDS
ME.' And then, her heart being too full, she left the room. Ah! they
have their faults, those mothers; but are there any other women like
them?

When she was gone I went to take down the sword with which my father had
vanquished the Hampshire baronet, and, would you believe it?--the brave
woman had tied A NEW RIBAND to the hilt: for indeed she had the courage
of a lioness and a Brady united. And then I took down the pistols, which
were always kept bright and well oiled, and put some fresh flints I
had into the locks, and got balls and powder ready against the Captain
should come. There was claret and a cold fowl put ready for him on the
sideboard, and a case-bottle of old brandy too, with a couple of little
glasses on the silver tray with the Barry arms emblazoned. In after
life, and in the midst of my fortune and splendour, I paid thirty-five
guineas, and almost as much more interest, to the London goldsmith who
supplied my father with that very tray. A scoundrel pawnbroker would
only give me sixteen for it afterwards; so little can we trust the
honour of rascally tradesmen!

At eleven o'clock Captain Fagan arrived, on horseback, with a mounted
dragoon after him. He paid his compliments to the collation which my
mother's care had provided for him, and then said, 'Look ye, Redmond my
boy; this is a silly business. The girl will marry Quin, mark my words;
and as sure as she does you'll forget her. You are but a boy. Quin is
willing to consider you as such. Dublin's a fine place, and if you have
a mind to take a ride thither and see the town for a month, here are
twenty guineas at your service. Make Quin an apology, and be off.'

'A man of honour, Mr. Fagan,' says I, 'dies, but never apologises. I'll
see the Captain hanged before I a