magistrate, would, he knew, have made it the ground-work of a fresh
communication to government, or to his friend the Castle, as he called
it, especially as he had many other circumstances of less importance
since his elevation to the magistracy. One indeed would imagine that
the peace and welfare of that portion of the country had been altogether
left to his sole and individual management, and that nothing at all of
any consequence could get on properly in it without his co-operation
or interference in some way. For this reason, as well as for others,
M'Carthy prudently hesitated either to arouse his loyalty or disturb the
tranquility of his family, and after joining him in a tumbler of
punch, or what O'Driscol termed his nightcap, he retired to bed, where,
however, he could not for a considerable time prevent himself from
ruminating, with a good deal of seriousness, upon the extraordinary
interview he had had with the friendly stranger.

After breakfast the next morning he resolved, however, to communicate to
his friends, the Purcels, who were at all events no alarmists, and would
not be apt to make him, whether he would or not, the instrument of a
selfish communication with the government, a kind of honor for which
the quiet and unassuming student had no relish whatsoever. He sauntered
towards the proctor's, at whose house he arrived a few minutes before
the return from the kitchen of our friend the Connie Soogah, who had
been treated there with an excellent and abundant breakfast, to which,
in spite of the murder of Murray, he did ample justice.

"Now, Mr. Purcel," he exclaimed, tossing down his pack as if it had been
a schoolboy's satchel, "by the lomenty-tarry you have made a new man of
me! Whoo!" he proceeded, cutting a caper more than a yard high, "show
me the man now, that would dar to say bow to your--beg pardon, ladies,
I must be jinteel for your sakes--that would dar, I say, to look crucked
at you or one a' your family, and maybe the Cannie Soogah wouldn't rise
the lap of his liver. Come, young ladies, shall I make my display? I
know you'll buy lot o' things and plenty besides; I can praise my goods,
thank God, for you see, Miss Mary, when the world comes to an end it'll
be found that the man who couldn't say three words for himself, and
one for his friend, must be sent down stairs to keep the fire in. Miss
Julia, I have a shawl here that 'ud make you look worse than you do."

"Worse, Cannie!" replied Julia