will
not have to wait long, Doctor; but by no means proceed with the ceremony
until you shall have permission from Sir Thomas Gourlay."

In general, any circumstance that tends to prevent a marriage, where all
the parties are assembled to witness it, and to enjoy the festivities
that attend it, is looked upon with a strong feeling of dissatisfaction.
Here, however, the case was different. Scarcely an individual among
them, with the exception of those who were interested in the event,
that did not feel a sense of relief at what had occurred in consequence
of the appearance of Lord Cullamore. Dunroe's face from that moment was
literally a sentence of guilt against himself. It became blank, haggard,
and of a ghastly white; while his hope of securing the rich and lovely
heiress died away within him. He resolved, however, to make a last
effort.

"Roberts," said he, "go to Sombre, and whisper to him to proceed with
the ceremony. Get him to perform it, and you are sure of a certain
sister of mine, who I rather suspect is not indifferent to you."

"I must decline to do so, my lord," replied Roberts. "After what has
just occurred, I feel that it would not be honorable in me, neither
would it be respectful to your father. However I may esteem your sister,
my lord, and appreciate her virtues, yet I am but a poor ensign, as you
know, and not in a capacity to entertain any pretensions--"

"Well, then," replied Dunroe, interrupting him, "bring that old dog
Sombre here, will you? I trust you will so far oblige me."

Roberts complied with this; but the Doctor was equally firm.

"Doctor," said his lordship, after urging several arguments, "you will
oblige Sir Thomas Gourlay very much, by having us married when they come
in. It's only a paltry matter of property, that Sir Thomas acceded to
this morning. Pray, proceed with the ceremony, Doctor, and make two
lovers happy."

"The word of your honorable father," replied the Doctor, "shall ever be
a law to me. He was always a most hospitable man; and, unless my bishop,
or the chief secretary, or, what is better still, the viceroy himself, I
do not know a nobleman more worthy of respect. No, my lord, there is not
in the peerage a nobleman who--gave better dinners."

What with this effort on the part of Dunroe, and a variety of chat
that took place upon the subject of the interruption, at least
five-and-twenty minutes had elapsed, and the company began to feel
somewhat anxious and imp