ance.'

tenets of the worthy gentleman's father when in earlier life he honoured Castle Carra with his presence.' All stared, and M'Cullogh grew pale as ashes. 'No, gentlemen, though my father was a rigid Calvinist, he never quarrelled with his cook for the difference of their faith; and I have some reason to suppose, that the elder Mr. M'Cullogh occasionally accompanied that lady to the Mass-house, as in his subordinate situation the retention of her friendship must have been to him a matter of paramount importShall I describe the effect of this exposé of Mr. M'Cullogh's earlier life on himself, and on the meeting? No pen can do it. The course of the business which collected us was instantly arrested, and in the turmoil, I leisurely called my carriage, and returned to the castle. The next morning, Mr. Nugent waited on me, and after many apologies on his part, he at last informed me his embassy was seeking one.— 'An apology for telling the history of an interesting era in the annals of Castle Carra? That the father of the High Sheriff elect was here formerly a cook's underling! But I must satisfy you, Mr. Nugent, as I presume you are

the plenipotentiary. Here, Philip; call Paurick More, (big Pat).' Nugent looked silly. 'Paurick,' said I, in Irish, was Mr. M'Cullogh and you formerly acquainted?'

6 Nonough ner braig e thin, a waisther, (there's no lie in that, master,)' said Paurick. 'What was he in my father's service?' 'Boheil beg in she kishthena,' (a little kitchen-boy.)

Are you certain?'

Shuraulthe a waisther,' (certain.)

Thorum an lower,' (hand me the book.)

Now, sir,' when Paurick More had left

'

the room, tell Mr. M'Cullogh that I believe Paurick More, his father's friend's word too firmly, to have a doubt of his real parentage and early occupation.'

· Hem-but-hem; can I not accommodate matters a slight explanation—'

"Could not alter a true assertion,' said I, with a silent bow, and rang the bell for lunch. Nugent affirmed he never snacked, and concluded by giving me in a round-about speech, a message for the ensuing morning. I attended,

with Mr. Drummond as my friend, on this important occasion. Mr. M'Cullogh and Nugent were dilatory in making their appearance, and at the same moment Mr. Scanlan arrived with the posse comitatus, and we were stayed in form from the mortal combat which we meditated. The crowd, which, from the delay, had assembled in great numbers, and either from personal affection for me, or from a feeling of disappointment in not being rewarded by an exhibition, hissed M'Cullogh and his second off the ground, and shouted forth their opinions that Mr. Scanlan was brought by my antagonist. Thus ended the affair of honour, as the public prints term it; and I presume I may henceforth, and for ever, reckon Mr. M'Cullogh among the list of my deadliest enemies."

Shortly after the receipt of this letter, and while Henry was on his return to Ireland, the long expected visiters arrived. It was evening when the Major's carriage (which had been sent to meet them at the last stage) set down at the castle. The sun was sinking in the lake,

when the relict of De Clifford and her orphan daughter entered O'Hara's territory. The wild character of the scenery was calculated to impress no very flattering idea of the place of her destination on the imagination of a London lady of fashion. The road ran along the shore of the lake, and was in many places hewn out of the side of the hill, which precipitated its descent to the waters at its base. Huge masses of mountain granite here and there overhanging the travellers, threatened to crush them as they passed; and when these hills were left behind, the view only opened on a wide and lonely heath, on one side resting on the mountains, and on the other enclosed by the lough. The short and stunted copse-wood did not improve its features, and from its own declining look, added to the dreariness of the parent moor. Now and again, a few green spots of herbage were visible, and the scanty flocks which were scattered upon them harmonised in ragged poverty with the coarse pasture on which they browsed.

Before them the prospect was dreary indeed. The road apparently terminated in the lake,

and their destination was no where to be seen. Here there was a descent of half a mile, and when they turned a sharp angle, where the promontory rested its base in the waters of the lough, Castle Carra, with its antique battlements, its oaks, and its islands, burst suddenly on their view. All was improved, but not changed-the heath became less withered in its appearance, the herbage more green and frequent, the trees numerous and healthy, till at length the carriage rolled over rich meadow, beneath the shade of ancient oaks, which more immediately surrounded the mansion.

It was now almost dark. The ladies gazed on the high and gloomy pile with something like alarm; and when they stopped before the heavy entrance, every thing was done apparently to make a din-dogs barked, men scolded them in English and Irish; the hall-door was unbarred with due clangor, while the carriagesteps rattled as they fell. From the landingplace which led to the hall, the Chieftain was seen to descend, but the ladies' curiosity could not be gratified by an accurate view of his person or features. The words of welcome were