well-attested tales of the
marvellous which it has been my fate to hear. I shall, as far as I am
able, arrange in one combined narrative the evidence of several distinct
persons who were eye-witnesses of what they related, and with the truth
of whose testimony I am solemnly and deeply impressed.

Sir Robert Ardagh, as we choose to call him, was the heir and
representative of the family whose name he bore; but owing to the
prodigality of his father, the estates descended to him in a very
impaired condition. Urged by the restless spirit of youth, or more
probably by a feeling of pride which could not submit to witness, in
the paternal mansion, what he considered a humiliating alteration in
the style and hospitality which up to that time had distinguished
his family, Sir Robert left Ireland and went abroad. How he occupied
himself, or what countries he visited during his absence, was never
known, nor did he afterwards make any allusion or encourage any
inquiries touching his foreign sojourn. He left Ireland in the year
1742, being then just of age, and was not heard of until the year
1760--about eighteen years afterwards--at which time he returned. His
personal appearance was, as might have been expected, very greatly
altered, more altered, indeed, than the time of his absence might
have warranted one in supposing likely. But to counterbalance the
unfavourable change which time had wrought in his form and features, he
had acquired all the advantages of polish of manner and refinement of
taste which foreign travel is supposed to bestow. But what was truly
surprising was that it soon became evident that Sir Robert was very
wealthy--wealthy to an extraordinary and unaccountable degree; and this
fact was made manifest, not only by his expensive style of living,
but by his proceeding to disembarrass his property, and to purchase
extensive estates in addition. Moreover, there could be nothing
deceptive in these appearances, for he paid ready money for everything,
from the most important purchase to the most trifling.

Sir Robert was a remarkably agreeable man, and possessing the combined
advantages of birth and property, he was, as a matter of course, gladly
received into the highest society which the metropolis then commanded.
It was thus that he became acquainted with the two beautiful Miss
F----ds, then among the brightest ornaments of the highest circle of
Dublin fashion. Their family was in more than one direction allied t