would
not listen to the detail of difficulties. "I must see him and I will,"
were my answers to every obstacle. If I were resolved on one side, _he_
was no less obstinate on the other; and after explaining with patience
all the dangers and hazards of the attempt, and still finding me
unconvinced, he boldly declared that I might go alone, if I would, but
that he would not leave the shelter of a roof, such a night, for any
one.

There was nothing in the shape of argument I did not essay. I tried
bribery, I tried menace, flattery, intimidation, all--and all with the
like result. "Wherever he is to-night, he'll not leave it, that's
certain," was the only satisfaction he would vouchsafe, and I retired
beaten from the contest, and disheartened. Twice I left the cottage,
resolved to go alone and unaccompanied, but the utter darkness of the
night, the torrents of rain that beat against my face, soon showed me
the impracticability of the attempt, and I retraced my steps
crest-fallen and discomfited. The most intense curiosity to know how and
by what chances he had come to Ireland mingled with my ardent desire to
meet him. What stores of reminiscence had we to interchange! Nor was it
without pride that I bethought me of the position I then held--an
officer of a Hussar regiment, a soldier of more than one campaign, and
high on the list for promotion. If I hoped, too, that many of the good
father's prejudices against the career I followed would give way to the
records of my own past life, I also felt how, in various respects, I had
myself conformed to many of his notions. We should be dearer, closer
friends than ever. This I knew and was sure of.

I never slept the whole night through; tired and weary as the day's
journey had left me, excitement was still too strong for repose, and I
walked up and down, lay for half an hour on my bed, rose to look out,
and peer for coming dawn! Never did hours lag so lazily. The darkness
seemed to last for an eternity, and when at last day did break, it was
through the lowering gloom of skies still charged with rain, and an
atmosphere loaded with vapor.

"This is a day for the chimney corner, and thankful to have it we ought
to be," said my old guide, as he replenished the turf fire, at which he
was preparing our breakfast. "Father Doogan will be home here afore
night, I'm sure, and as we have nothing better to do, I'll tell you some
of our old adventures when I lived with Mr. Brooke. 'Twill sar