I AWOKE refreshed after half-an-hour's doze, and then every circumstance of the whole day was clear and palpable before me. I remembered each minute particular, and could bring to my mind all the details of the race itself, notwithstanding the excitement they had passed in, and the rapidity with which they succeeded each other.

My first thought was to visit poor Joe, and creeping stealthily to his room, I opened the door. The poor fellow was fast asleep, his features had already become coloured with fever, and a red hectic spot on either cheek told that the work of mischief had begun; yet still his sleep was tranquil, and a half smile curled his bloodless lips. On his bed his old hunting-cap was placed, a bow of white and green ribbons-the colours I wore-fastened gaudily in the front; upon this, doubtless, he had been gazing to the last moment of his waking. I now stole noiselessly back and began a letter to O'Grady, whose anxiety as to the result would, I knew, be considerable.

It was not without pride, I confess, that I narrated the events of the day; yet when I came to that part of my letter in which Joe was to be mentioned, I could not avoid a sense of shame in acknowledging the cruel contrast between my conduct and his gratitude. I did not attempt to theorize upon what he had done; for I VOL. XX.-No. 115.

felt that O'Grady's better knowledge of his countrymen would teach him to sound the depths of a motive, the surface of which I could but skim. I told him frankly, that the more I saw of Ireland, the less I found I knew about it so much of sterling good seemed blended with unsettled notions and unfixed opinions-such warmth of heart, such frank cordiality, with such traits of suspicion and distrust, that I could make nothing of them. Either, thought I, these people are born to present the anomaly of all that is most opposite and contradictory in human nature, or else the fairest gifts that ever graced manhood have been perverted and abused by mismanagement and misguidance.

I had just finished my letter when Bob Mahon drove up, his honest face radiant with smiles and good-humour.

"Well, Hinton," cried he, "the whole thing is properly settled-the money is paid over, and if you are writing to O'Grady, you may mention, that he can draw on the Limerick bank, at sight if he pleases: there's time enough, however, for all this; so get up beside me; we've only half an hour to do our five miles, and dress for dinner."

I took my place beside the major, and as we flew fast through the air, the cool breeze and his enlivening conversation rallied and refreshed me. Such was our pace, we had ten mi

B

nutes to spare, as we entered a dark avenue of tall beech trees, and a few seconds after arrived at the door of a large, old-fashioned-looking manorhouse, on the steps of which stood Hugh Dillon himself, in all the plenitude of a white waistcoat and black silk tights. While he hurried me to a dressing-room he overwhelmed me with felicitations on the result of the day. "You'll think it strange, Mr. Hinton," said he, "that I should congratulate you, knowing that Mr. Burke is a kind of relation of mine-but I have heard so much of your kindness to my niece, Louisa, that I cannot but rejoice in your success."

"I should rather," said I, "for many reasons, had it been more legitimately obtained; and, indeed, were I not acting for another, I doubt how far I should feel justified in considering myself a winner."

"My dear sir," interrupted Dillon, "the laws of racing are imperative in the matter; besides, had you waved your right, all who backed you must have lost their money."

"For that matter," said I laughing, "the number of my supporters was tolerably limited."

"No matter for that: and even if you had not a single bet upon you, Ulick's conduct, in the beginning, deserved little favour at your hands."

"I confess," said I, "that there you have touched on the saving clause to my feeling of shame. Had Mr. Burke conducted himself in a different spirit towards my friend and myself, I should feel sorely puzzled this minute."

"Quite right,-quite right," said Dillon; "and now try if you can't make as much haste with your toilet, as you did over the clover field."

Within a quarter of an hour I made my appearance in the drawingroom, now crowded with company, the faces of many among whom I remembered having seen in the morning. Mr. Dillon was a widower, but his daughters-three fine, tall, handsomelooking girls did the honours. While I was making my bows to them, Miss Bellew came forward, and with an eye bright with pleasure held out her hand towards me.

"I told you, Mr. Hinton, we should meet in the west. Have I been as

good a prophetess in saying that you would like it?"

"If it afforded me but this one minute," said I, in a half whisper.

"Dinner," said the servant; and at the same moment that scene of pleasant confusion ensued that precludes the formal descent of a party to the dining-room.

The host had gracefully tucked a large lady under his arm, beside whose towering proportion he looked pretty much like what architects call "a leanto," superadded to a great building. He turned his eye towards me to "go and do likewise," with a significant glance at a heaving mass of bugles and ostrich feathers, that sat panting on a sofa. I parried the stroke, however, by drawing Miss Bellew's arm within mine, while I resigned the post of honour to my little friend, the major.

The dinner passed off like all other dinners there was the same routine of eating and drinking, and pretty much the same ritual of table-talk. As a kind of commentary on the superiority of natural gifts over the affected and imitated graces of society, I could not help remarking, that those things which figured on the table, of homely origin, were actually luxurious, while the exotic resources of the cookery were, in every instance, miserable failures. Thus the fish was excellent, and the mutton perfect, while the fricandeau was atrocious, and the petits patés execrable.

Should my taste be criticised, that with a lovely girl beside me, for whom I already felt a strong attachment, I could thus set myself to criticise the cuisine, in lieu of any other more agreeable occupation, let my apology be, that my reflection was an apropos, called forth by comparing Louisa Bellew with her cousins, the Dillons. I have said they were handsome girls; they were more they were beautiful; they had all that fine pencilling of the eyebrow, that deep, square orbit, so characteristically Irish, and which gives an expression to the eye, whatever be its colour, of inexpressible softness their voices, too, albeit the accent was provincial, were soft and musical, and their manners quiet and lady-like; yet, somehow they stood immeasurably apart from her.

:

I have already ventured on one illustration from the cookery, may I take another from the cellar? How often in wines of the same vintage, of even the same cask, do we find one bottle, whose bouquet is more aromatic, whose flavour is richer, whose colour is more purely brilliant. There seems to be no reason why this should be so, nor is the secret appreciable to our senses; however, the fact is incontestible. So among women: you meet some half-dozen in an evening party, equally beautiful, equally lovely, yet will there be found one among the number, towards whom, without any assignable cause, more eyes are turned, and more looks bent; around whose chair more men are found to linger, and in whose slightest word some cunning charm seems ever mingled. Why is this so? I confess I

cannot tell you, but trust me for the fact. If, however, it will satisfy you that I adduce an illustration-Louisa Bellew was one of these. With all the advantages of a cultivated mind, she possessed that fearlessness that only girls really innocent of worldly trickery and deceit, ever have; and thus, while her conversation ranged far beyond the limits the cold ordeal of fashion would prescribe to a London beauty, the artless enthusiasm of her manner was absolutely captivating.

In Dublin, the most marked feature about her was an air of lofty pride and hauteur, by which, in the mixed society of Rooney's house, was she alone enabled to repel the obtrusive and impertinent attentions it was the habit of the place to practise. Surrounded by those who resorted there for a lounge, it was a matter of no common difficulty for her, a young and timid girl, to assert her own position, and exact the respect that was her due. Here, however, in her uncle's house, it was quite different. Relieved from all performance of a part, she was natural, graceful, and easy; and her spirits, untrammelled by the dread of misconstruction, took their own free and happy flight, without fear and without reproach.

When we returned to the drawingroom, seated beside her, I entered into an explanation of all my proceedings since my arrival in the country, and had the satisfaction to perceive, that not only did she approve of

every thing I had done, but, assuming a warmer interest than I could credit in my fortunes, she counselled me respecting the future. Supposing that my success might induce me to further trials of my horsemanship, she cautioned me about being drawn into any matches or wagers.

"My cousin, Ulick," said she, "is one of those who rarely let a prey escape them. I speak frankly to you, for I know I may do so; therefore, I would beseech you to take care of him, and, above all things, do not come into collision with him. I have told you, Mr. Hinton, that I wish you to know my father: for this object it is essential you should have no misunderstanding with my cousin; for although his whole conduct through life, has been such as to grieve and afflict him, yet the feeling for his only sister's child has sustained him against all the rumours and reports that have reached him, and even against his own convictions."

"You have, indeed," said I, "suggested a strong reason for keeping well with your cousin: my heart is not only bent on being known to your father, but, if I dare hope it, on being liked by him also."

"Yes, yes," said she, quickly, blushing while she spoke, "I am sure he'll like you and I know you'll like him. Our house, perhaps I should tell you, is not a gay one: we lead a secluded and retired life, and this has had its effect upon my poor father, giving a semblance of discontent-only a semblance, though-to a nature, mild, manly, and benevolent."

She paused an instant, and, as if fearing that she had been led away to speak of things she should not have touched upon, added, with a more lively tone

"Still, we may contrive to amuse you you shall have plenty of fishing and coursing, the best shooting in the west, and, as for scenery, I'll answer for it you are not disappointed."

While we chatted thus, the time rolled on, and at last, the clock on the mantel-piece apprized us that it was time to set out for the ball. This, as it may be believed, was any thing but a promise of pleasure to me. With Louisa Bellew beside me, talking in a tone of confidential intimacy she had never ventured on before, I would

have given worlds to have remained where I was; however, the thing was impossible; the ball-the ball! passed from lip to lip, and already the carriages were assembled before the door, and cloaks, hoods, and mantles were distributed on all sides.

Resolving, at all events, to secure Miss Bellew as my fellow-traveller, I took her arm to lead her down stairs. "Holloa, Hinton," cried the major, "you're coming with me-ain't you?" I got up a tremendous fit of cough

ing, as I stammered out an apology about night-air, &c.

"Ah, true, my poor fellow," said the simple-hearted Bob, "you must take care of yourself this has been a severe day's work for you."

"With such a heavy cold," said Louisa, laughing, as her bright eyes sparkled with fun, "perhaps you'll take a seat in our carriage."

I pressed her arm gently, and whispering my assent, assisted her in, and placed myself beside her.

FAST as had been the pace in the major's tax-cart, it seemed to me as though the miles flew much more quickly by, as I returned to the town; how indeed they passed I cannot well say, but from the moment that I quitted Mr. Dillon's house to that of my arrival in Loughrea, there seemed to be but one brief delightful moment. already said that Miss Bellew's manner was quite changed; and, as I assisted her from the carriage, I could not but mark the flashing brilliancy of her eye and the sparkling animation of her features lending, as they did, an added loveliness to her beauty.

I have

"Am I to dance with you, Mr. Hinton?" said she, laughingly, as I led her on the stairs. "If so, pray be civil enough to ask me at once; otherwise, I must accept the first partner that offers himself."

"How very stupid I have been! Will you, pray, let me have the ho

nour ?"

"Yes, yes you shall have the honour; but, now that I think of it, you mustn't ask me a second time: we country folk are very prudish about these things; and, as you are the lion of the party, I should get into a sad scrape were I to appear to monopolize you."

"But you surely will have compassion on me," said I in a tone of affected bashfulness. "You know I am a stranger here neither known to, nor by any one save you."

66

Ah, trève de modestie !" said she, coquettishly. "My cousins will be quite delighted, and, indeed, you owe them some amende already."

"As how?" said I; "what have I done?"

"Rather, what have you left undone? I'll tell you. You have not come to the ball in your fine uniform, with your aigulette and your showy feathers, and all the pride, pomp, and circumstance of your dignity, as aidde-camp. Learn, that in the west we love the infantry, doat on the dragoons, but we adore the staff. Now, a child would find it as difficult to recognise a plump gentleman with a star on his breast as a king, as we western ladies would, to believe in the military features of a person habited in quiet black. You should, at least, have some symbol of your calling. A little bit of moustache like a Frenchman-a foreign order at your button-hole-your arm in a sling, from a wound as it wereeven a pair of brass spurs would redeem you. Poor Mary here won't believe that you wear a great sword, and are the most warlike-looking person imaginable on occasions."

"Dearest Louisa, how silly you are!" said her cousin, blushing deeply. "Pray, Mr. Hinton, what do you think of the rooms?"

This question happily recalled me to myself; for up to that very moment, forgetful of every thing save my fair companion, I had not noticed our entrance into the ball-room, around which we were promenading with slow steps. I now looked up, and discovered that we were in the town-hall, the great room of which building was generally reserved for occasions like the present. Nothing could be more simple than the decorations of the apartment. The walls, which were whitewashed, were tastefully ornamented with strings and wreathes of flowers suspended between the iron chandeliers, while over the

chimney-piece were displayed the colours of the marching regiment then quartered in the town: indeed, to do them justice, the garrison were the main contributors to the pleasures of the evening. By them were the garlands so gracefully disposed; by them were the rat-holes and other dangerous crevices in the floor caulked with oakum; their band was now blowing "God save the King" and "Rule Britannia" alternately for the last hour, and their officers, in all the splendour of scarlet, were parading the room, breaking the men's hearts with envy and the women's with admiration.

O'Grady was quite right—it is worth while being a soldier in Ireland; and, if such be the case in the capital, how much more true is it in Connaught? Would that some minute anatomist of human feeling could demonstrate that delicate fibre in an Irishwoman's heart that vibrates so responsively to every thing in the army-list! In this happy land you need no nitrous oxyde to promote the high spirits of your party; I had rather have a sub in a marching regiment, than a whole gasometer full of it. How often have I watched the sleepy eye of languid loveliness brighten up! how often have I seen features almost plain in their character assume a kind of beauty, as some red-coat drew near! Don't tell me of your insurrection acts, of your nightly outrages, your outbreaks, and your burnings, as a reason for keeping a large military force in Ireland; nothing of the kind! A very different object, indeed, is the reason-Ireland is garrisoned to please the ladies. The waroffice is the most gallant of public bodies, and, with a true appreciation of the daughters of the west, it inundates the land with red-coats. These

observations were forced upon me as I looked about the room, and saw on every side how completely the gallant seventy-something had cut out the country gentry. Poor fellows! you are great people at the assizes—you are strong men at a road-sessions_ but you're mighty small folk indeed before your wives and daughters when looked at to the music of "Paddy Carey," and by the light of two hundred and fifty mutton candles.

The country-dance was at length formed, and poor Mr. Harkin, the master of the ceremonies and Cory

phoeus in ordinary of Loughrea, had, by dint of scarce less fatigue than I experienced in my steeple-chase, by running hither and thither, imploring, beseeching, wheedling, coaxing, and even cursing, at length succeeded in assembling sixty-four souls in a double file upon the floor. Poor fellow! never was there a more disorderly force. Nobody would keep his own place, but was always trying to get above his neighbour. In vain did he tell the men to stand at their own side. Alas! they thought that side their own where the ladies were also. Then the band added to his miseries, for scarcely had he told them to play "The Wind that shakes the Barley," when some changed it to "The Priest in his Boots," and afterwards to "The Dead-march in Saul." These were heavy afflictions; for be it known that he could not give way, as other men would in such circumstances, to a good outbreak of passion; for Mr. Harkin was a public functionary, who, like all other functionaries, had a character to sustain before the world. When kings are angry-we are told by Shakspeare, Schiller, and others that they rant it in good royal style. Now, when a dancing-master is excited by passion, he never loses sight of the unities. If he flies down the floor to chide the little fat man that is talking so loud, he contrives to do it with a step, a spring, and a hop, to the time of one, two, three. Is there a confusion in the figure, he advances to rectify it with a chassé-rigadoon. Does Mr. Somebody turn his toes too much out, or is Miss So-and-so holding her petticoats too high, he fugles the correction in his own person-first imitating the deformity he would expose, and then displaying the perfection he would point to.

On the evening in question, this gentleman afforded me by far the most of the amusement of the ball; nearly half the company had been in time of yore his pupils, or were actually so at the very moment; so, that independent of his cares as conductor of the festivities, he had also the amour propre of one who saw his own triumphs reflected in the success of his disciples.

At last the dances were arranged. A certain kind of order was established in the party, and Mr. Harkin, standing in the fifth position, with all his fingers