AN EVENING AT BELLEEK. 31 



that chased each other round the smoke- 

 stained walls, disclosed short glimpses of two 

 low curtainless heds ; one of which, owing to 

 the inequality of the floor, was standing with 

 one foot raised as in the act of advancing. A 

 herald would have described it as a bedstead 

 passant. 



The light, which was failing fast, was ad- 

 mitted through three low latticed windows, 

 so scientifically arranged as to secure a 

 thorough draft of fresh air and plenty of 

 it, blow the wind from which quarter it 

 would ; and at this present moment the ed- 

 dying and irregular blasts of a fierce south- 

 wester were dashing the rain against them 

 in intermitting torrents, just as if some one 

 outside had been flourishing about the spout 

 of a fire-engine. 



The table had been for some time laid for 

 dinner, and the younger man of the two, 

 whom, for distinction's sake, we will call the 

 Scholar, had already begun to evince as 

 much impatience and fidgetiness as was 

 consistent with his very good-humoured 

 countenance, when the sudden tapping of 

 the long rods against the outside of the 

 window announced the arrival of those for 

 whom they had been waiting ; and laughing, 



