After talking over the nothings of the day, and after having given two or three cuts at the society of Dublin, with two or three compliments to individuals, who, she knew, were favourites with his lordship, she suddenly turned to him—­

’My lord, I think you told me, or my own sagacity discovered, that you want to see something of Ireland, and that you don’t intend, like most travellers, to turn round, see nothing, and go home content.’

Lord Colambre assured her ladyship that she had judged him rightly, for, that nothing would content him but seeing all that was possible to be seen of his native country.  It was for this special purpose he came to Ireland.

’Ah!—­well—­very good purpose—­can’t be better; but now, how to accomplish it.  You know the Portuguese proverb says, “You go to hell for the good things you intend to do, and to heaven for those you do.”  Now let us see what you will do.  Dublin, I suppose, you’ve seen enough of by this time; through and through—­round and round this makes me first giddy and then sick.  Let me show you the country—­not the face of it, but the body of it—­the people.  Not Castle this, or Newtown that, but their inhabitants.  I know them; I have the key, or the picklock to their minds.  An Irishman is as different an animal on his guard, and off his guard, as a miss in school from a miss out of school.  A fine country for game, I’ll show you; and, if you are a good marksman, you may have plenty of shots “at folly as it flies."’

Lord Colambre smiled.  ‘As to Isabel,’ pursued her lady-ship, ’I shall put her in charge of Heathcock, who is going with us.  She won’t thank me for that, but you will.  Nay, no fibs, man; you know, I know, as who does not that has seen the world, that though a pretty woman is a mighty pretty thing, yet she is confoundedly in one’s way, when anything else is to be seen, heard—­or understood.’

Every objection anticipated and removed, and so far a prospect held out of attaining all the information he desired, with more than all the amusement he could have expected, Lord Colambre seemed much tempted to accept the invitation; but he hesitated, because, as he said, her ladyship might be going to pay visits where he was not acquainted.

’Bless you! don’t let that be a stumbling-block in the way of your tender conscience.  I am going to Killpatrickstown, where you’ll be as welcome as light.  You know them, they know you; at least you shall have a proper letter of invitation from my Lord and my Lady Killpatrick, and all that.  And as to the rest, you know a young man is always welcome every-where, a young nobleman kindly welcome,—­I won’t say such a young man, and such a young nobleman, for that might put you to pour bows or your blushes—­but NOBILITAS by itself, nobility is enough in all parties, in all families, where there are girls, and of course balls, as there are always at Killpatrickstown.  Don’t be alarmed; you