92 SPORTING AND 



tive ! I blest her for the sweet consolation 

 at a time when I felt myself deserted and 

 left alone in the world, without strength or 

 energy to rouse myself to action till her 

 whisper brought me comfort. 



I lay for a considerable time indulging 

 in this pleasing dream, and fancying I was 

 far away in my Irish home again, where 

 the people and my kinsfolk vied with each 

 other in kindness and welcome, when I 

 was suddenly reminded as to where I was, 

 and, in an instant, all my pleasing dreams 

 vanished. 



The key was applied to the lock in the 

 door, and there appeared great difficulty 

 in turning it ; from the whispering conver- 

 sation outside, carried on in a low voice, I 

 fancied they thought I had been tampering 

 with the lock. At last they got the key to 

 act, when the clumsy door slowly opened 



