Lucy, however, to whom we must now return, on arriving at the neat cottage already alluded to, occasioned no small surprise to its proprietor.  The family, when the driver knocked, were all asleep, or at least had not arisen, and on the door being opened by a broad-faced, good-humored looking servant, who was desired to go to a lady in the chaise, the woman, after rubbing her eyes and yawning, looked about her as if she were in a dream, exclaiming, “Lord bless us! and divil a sowl o’ them out o’ the blankets yet!”

“You’re nearly asleep,” said the driver; “but I’ll hould a testher that a tight crapper Would soon brighten your eye.  Come, come,” he added, as she yawned again, “shut your pittaty trap, and go to the young lady in the chaise.”

The woman settled her cap, which was awry, upon her head, by plucking it quickly over to the opposite side, and hastily tying the strings of her apron, so as to give herself something of a tidy look, she proceeded, barefooted, but in slippers, to the chaise.

“Will you have the kindness,” said Lucy, in a very sweet voice, “to say to Mrs. Norton that a young friend of hers wishes to see her.”

“And tell her to skip,” added Alley Mahon, “and not keep us here all the blessed mornin’.”

“Mrs. Norton!” exclaimed the woman; “I don’t know any sich parson as that, Miss.”

“Why,” said Lucy, putting her head out of the chaise, and re-examining the cottage, “surely this is where my friend Mrs. Norton did live, certainly.  She must have changed her residence, Alley.  This is most unfortunate!—­What are we to do?  I know not where to go.”

“Whisht!  Miss,” said Alley, “we’ll put her through her catechiz again.  Come here, my good woman; come forrid; don’t be ashamed or afeard in the presence of ladies.  Who does live here?”

“Mr. Mainwarin’,” replied the servant, omitting the “Miss,” notwithstanding that Alley had put in her claim for it by using the plural number.

“This is distressing—­most unfortunate!” exclaimed Lucy; “how long has
this gentleman--Mr.--Mr.------”

“Mainwarin’, Miss,” added the woman, respectfully.

“She’s a stupid lookin’ sthreel, at all events,” said Alley, half to herself and half to her mistress.

“Yes, Mainwaring,” continued Lucy; “how long has he been living here?”

“Troth, and that’s more than I can tell you, Miss,” replied the woman; “I’m from the county Wexford myself, and isn’t more than a month here.”

Whilst this little dialogue went on, or rather, we should say, after it was concluded, a tapping was heard at one of the windows, and a signal given with the finger for the servant to return to the house.  She did so; but soon presented herself a second time at the chaise door with more agreeable intelligence.

“You’re right, Miss,” said she; “the mistress desired me to ask you in; she seen you from the windy, and desired me to bring your things too; you’re to come in, then, Miss, you, an’ the sarvint that’s along wid you.”