THE SIX OF SPADES. 123 



But there was an entire change of performance, I 

 can tell you, when these visitors came forth on their 

 journey homeward ; as distinct an alteration and 

 improvement of countenance as may be observed in 

 the features of that gentleman who appears from time 

 to time in the pictorial advertisements, as now endur- 

 ing the agonies of toothache, and now " Ha ! ha ! 

 cured in an instant ! " The tragedy, with its tyrant 

 and dungeon-chains, was over ; and, as the lamps 

 blazed out once more, the orchestra, which had been 

 executing Dead March and dirge underneath the 

 darkened stage, emerged to play "Garry Owen." 

 They who had come to us so silently and sadly, 

 laughed and sang as they drove down the park. 

 They could not have been in a happier frame of mind 

 if they had been poachers coming out of jail in the 

 shooting season. Hurrah ! they were going home ! 

 home to have beer at dinner, and to turn to the fire 

 at dessert ! Home, to astonish the Browns, to fill the 

 mouths of the Walkers with the waters of envy, and 

 to awe the Bumbies with fancy statements about their 

 " delightful visit at the castle." Well, I could bear 

 truthful witness that the latter part of the proceeding 

 had been delightful enough. As Robert Hall said to 

 the pert young preacher, who asked what he thought 

 of his sermon, "There was one very admirable passage 

 the passage from the pulpit to the vestry," so it 

 might be affirmed with confidence that these guests 

 had been especially happy in the last act and deed of 

 departure. 



Now this iron duke, you will be surprised to hear, 

 had actually condescended to marry. Of course, if 



