LIFE IN IRELAND 279 



in this room. By the powers of Moll Kelly, there is 

 Mr. Brian Boru, the boxer, boxing Harry wid my 

 wife in my bedroom. I twigg'd them through the 

 keyhole^ and broke open the door, when Mr. Brian 

 broke my nose wid the toe of his boot, and pitched me 

 head foremost down stairs, to make my case known to 

 your Honour.' 



I pity your case, said the good-humoured Viceroy, 

 but I can do you no good. I believe Mr. Boru went 

 up stairs to drink a glass, and read a letter with your 

 wife, who is an old nurse of his in the County of 

 Gal way. 



I don't know as to that, said Darby ; but this thing 

 I know, that they had no business to draw the bed 

 curtains close to see to write or rade in the dark : and 

 I saw the silver spur on the boot, or I should not have 

 known he was inside. 



Poo, poo, said Sir Shawn, the thing is not worth 

 notice ; if my friend had but known who you were, he 

 would have acted in a different manner; and I feel 

 assured he will beg your pardon when he comes to 

 know the real truth : and here he comes himself to 

 answer for his ' high crim.es and misdemeanours.' 



And pray. Sir, said Brian to the trembling Darby, 

 how dared you to enter a room where I was engaged 

 upon private business with a lady ; your being the 

 landlord of this house does not justify you in being 

 impertinent. ' x\nd a devil of an impertinent fellow he 

 is,' said Mrs. Pheely ; * and sweet bad luck to me if I 

 haven't as good mind to clap my ten scratchers on his 

 cheeks, and mark him as a fool for life : just, your 

 Honour, as Mr. Boru, with the letter in his hand, had 



