“‘Harry,’ says he, ‘I’m done for! the corporation of free smiths, that were always above bribery, having voted for myself and my father before, for four pound ten a man, won’t come forward under six guineas and whisky. Calvert has the money:—they know it-the devil a farthing we have; and we’ve been paying all our fellows that can’t read in Hennessy’s notes, and you know the bank’s broke this three weeks.’
“On he went, giving me a most disastrous picture of his cause, and concluded by asking if I could suggest anything under the circumstances.
“‘You couldn’t get a decent mob and clear the poll?’
“‘I am afraid not,’ said he despondingly,
“‘Then I don’t see what’s to be done: if you can’t pick a fight with himself—will he go out?’
“‘Lord knows; they say he’s so afraid of that, that it has prevented him coming down till the very day: but he is arrived now; he came in the evening, and is stopping at Walsh’s, in Patrick Street.’
“‘Then I’ll see what can be done,’ said I.
“‘Is that Calvert, the little man that blushes when the Lady Lieutenant speaks to him?’ said Lady Mary.
“‘The very man.’
“‘Would it be of any use to you if he could not come on the hnstings to-morrow?’ said she again.
“‘Twould gain us the day: half the voters don’t believe he’s here at all, and his chief agent cheated all the people on the last election, and if Calvert didn’t appear, be wouldn’t have ten votes to register. But why do you ask?’
“‘Why, that, if you like, I’ll bet you a pair of diamond earrings he shan’t show.’
“‘Done,’ said Butler, ‘and I promise a necklace into the bargain, if you win; but I’m afraid you’re only quizzing me.’
“‘Here’s my hand on it,’ said she; ‘and now let’s talk of something else.’
“As Lady Boyle never asked my assistance, and, as I knew she was very well able to perform whatever she undertook, you may be sure I gave myself very little trouble about the whole affair, and, when they came, I went off to breakfast with Tom’s committee, not knowing anything that was to be done.
“Calvert had given orders that he was to be called at eight o’clock, and so a few minutes before that time a gentle knock came to the door. ‘Come in,’ said he, thinking it was the waiter, and covering himself up in the clothes, for he was the most bashful creature ever was seen; ‘Come in.’
“The door opened and what was his horror to find that a lad: entered in her dressing-gown, her hair on her shoulders very much tossed and dishevelled. The moment she came in she closed the door and locked it, and then sat leisurely down upon a chair.
“Billy’s teeth chattered, and his limbs trembled, for this was an adventure of a very novel kind for him. At last he took courage to speak. ‘I am afraid, madam,’ said he, ‘that you are under some unhappy mistake, and that you suppose this chamber is’