268 EEMINISOENCES OF THE LEWS. 



sorry for it, for it is unknown when we shall 

 dine. Mr. B. was obliged to go to Dublin this 

 morning, and the whole establishment is 

 drunk." I reached my room, where I found 

 my things ready to dress — only, my coat was 

 before the fire, my dressing-gown laid out on 

 the bed. I looked at my servant. He was 

 steadily drunk. He was the best of men, 

 passionately attached to his horses, a keen 

 sportsman, and a good and daring horseman, 

 with that rare gift — a light hand. Yet he 

 never inquired about the hunt, or how his 

 favourite Paddy had carried me ; he did not 

 trust himself to speak. Bad look-out, thought 

 I to myself, as I dressed and repaired to the 

 drawing-room. But who, when he entered 

 that pleasantest of rooms, thought of anything 

 but the merry, laughing, beautiful eyes, and 

 the batch of pretty musical voices that were 

 inquiring after the run, and where I came from 

 last, and the particularly meaning inquiries 

 about old John Downie's (my man's) health ? 

 Alas ! but few of that joyous band are now 

 left, though two are, I know, for I saw them 

 last spring ; and if this meets the eye of either 

 — one, I know, reads The Field — let them send 

 me some token they remember my tale. At 



