“I am now thoroughly disguised, indeed so effectually that my nearest and dearest friends could not know me; nay, I question whether even you yourself would, except by the keen intuition of affection, which is said to penetrate all disguises, unless those of falsehood and hypocrisy.  These, however, are disguises I have never worn, nor ever shall wear—­either to you or any human being.  I had intended to go to the Continent until this storm of persecution might blow over; but on reflection I changed my purpose, for I could not leave you to run the risk of being ensnared in the subtle and treacherous policy of that villain.  It is my intention to visit your father’s house and to see you if I can.  You need not, for the sake of my safety, object to this, because no one can know me.  The description of my dress, though somewhat undignified, I must give you.  In the first place, then, I am, to all outward appearance, as rude-looking a country lout as ever you looked upon.  My disguise consists, first, of a pair of brogues embroidered with clouts, or what is vulgarly denominated patches, out of the point of one of which—­that of the right foot—­nearly half my toe visibly projects.  The stockings are coarse Connemaras, with sufficient air-holes, both in feet and legs, to admit the pure atmosphere, and strengthen the muscular system.  My small-clothes are corduroys, bought from a hard-working laborer, with a large patch upon each knee.  A tailor, however, has promised to get some buttons for them and sew them on.  The waistcoat is altogether indescribable; because, as its materials seem to have been rescued, that is, stolen, from all the scarecrows in the country, I am’ unable to come at the first fabric.  The coat itself is also beautifully variegated, its patches consisting of all the colors of the rainbow, with two or three dozen that never appeared in that beautiful phenomenon.  But what shall I say of the pendiment, or caubeen, which is a perfect gem of its kind?  The villain who wore it, I have been told by the person who acted as factor for me in its purchase, was one of the most quarrelsome rascals in Ireland, and seldom went without a black eye or a broken pate.  This, I suppose, accounts for the droop in the leaf, which covers the left eye so completely, as well as for the ventilator, which so admirably refreshes the head, and allows the rain to come in so abundantly to cool it.  I cannot help reflecting, however, on the fate of those who have nothing better to wear, and of the hard condition which dooms them to it.  And now, my beloved Cooleen Bawn, whilst I have thus endeavored to make you smile, I assure you I have exaggerated very little.  This dress, you know, is precisely that of a wretched Connaught-man looking for employment.  The woman, who will, through our confidant, Lanigan, deliver this to you, is a poor faithful creature, a pensioner of mine, who may be trusted.  Appoint through her a day and hour when, as a man seeking for labor, I