he simple priest's exclamation. He kept it,
however, to himself, on account of the large reward that lay in the
background.

"I stuffed!" exclaimed the indignant lady, whose thin face had for a
considerable time been visible, for it was long past dawn; "I defy
you, sir," she replied, "you large, nasty, Hirish farmer, as feeds upon
nothing but taters. I stuffed!--no lady--you nasty farmer--goes without
padding, which is well known to any man as is a gentleman. But stuffed!
I defy you, nasty Paddy; I was never stuffed. Those as stuff use 'oss
'air; now I never uses 'oss 'air."

"If you weren't stuffed, then," replied the priest, who took a natural
disrelish to her affectation of pride and haughtiness, knowing her as he
now did--"many a better woman was. If you weren't, ma'am, it wasn't your
own fault. Sir Thomas Gourlay's English cook need never be at a loss for
plenty to stuff herself with."

This was an extinguisher. The heaven of her complexion was instantly
concealed by a thick cloud in the shape of a veil. She laid herself
back in the corner of the carriage, and maintained the silence of a
vanquished woman during the remainder of the journey.

On arriving in town the passengers, as is usual, betook themselves to
their respective destinations. Father M'Mahon, with his small bundle
under his arm, was about to go to the Brazen Head Tavern, when he found
himself tapped on the shoulder by our friend Darby, who now held a
pistol in his hand, and said:

"There are eight of us, Mr. Finnerty, and it is useless to shy Abraham.
You're bagged at last, so come off quietly to the office."

"I don't understand you," replied the priest, who certainly felt
surprised at seeing himself surrounded by so many constables, for it was
impossible any longer to mistake them. "What do you mean, my friend? or
who do you suppose me to be?"

The constable gave him a knowing wink, adding with as knowing an
air--"It's no go here, my lad--safe's the word. Tramp for the office,
or we'll clap on the wrist-buttons. We know you're a shy cock, Mr.
Finnerty, and rather modest, too--that's the cut. Simpson, keep the
right arm fast, and, you, Gamble, the left, whilst we bring up the rear.
In the meantime, before he proceeds a step, I, as senior, will take the
liberty to--just--see--what--is--here," whilst, suiting the word to
the action, he first drew a pistol from the left pocket, and immediately
after another from the right, and--shades of Freney