There! that was the very way his father stood with
his feet on the steps. And Miss Nugent was in
it.’
Lord Colambre forgot what he was going to say—with
some difficulty recollected.
‘This pocket-book,’ said he, ’which
your son restored to me—I intend it for
your daughter—don’t keep it, as your
son kept it for me, without opening it. Let what
is within-side,’ added he, as he got into the
carriage, ’replace the cloak and gown, and let
all things necessary for a bride be bought; “for
the bride that has all things to borrow has surely
mickle to do.”—Shut the door, and
drive on.’
‘Blessings be WID you,’ cried the widow,
‘and God give you grace!’
Larry drove off at full gallop, and kept on at a good
rate, till he got out of the great gate, and beyond
the sight of the crowd; then, pulling up, he turned
to Lord Colambre—’plase your
honour, I did not know nor guess ye was my lord, when
I let you have the horses; did not know who you was
from Adam, I’ll take my affidavit.’
‘There’s no occasion,’ said Lord
Colambre; ’I hope you don’t repent letting
me have the horses, now you do know who I am?’
’Oh! not at all, sure; I’m as glad as
the best horse I ever crossed, that your honour is
my lord—but I was only telling your honour,
that you might not be looking upon me as a time-Server.’
’I do not look upon you as a time-Server,
Larry; but keep on, that time may serve me.’
In two words, he explained his cause of haste; and
no sooner explained than understood. Larry thundered
away through the town of Clonbrony, bending over his
horses, plying the whip, and lending his very soul
at every lash. With much difficulty, Lord Colambre
stopped him at the end of the town, at the post-office.
The post was gone out-gone a quarter of an hour.
‘Maybe we’ll overtake the mail,’
said Larry; and, as he spoke, he slid down from his
seat, and darted into the public-house, reappearing,
in a few moments, with a copper of ale and a horn
in his hand; he and another man held open the horses’
mouths, and poured the ale through the horn down their
throats. ‘Now, they’ll go with spirit!’
And, with the hope of overtaking the mail, Larry made
them go ’for life or death,’ as he said;
but in vain! At the next stage, at his own inn-door,
Larry roared for fresh horses till he got them, harnessed
them with his own hands, holding the six-shilling
piece, which Lord Colambre had given him, in his mouth,
all the while; for he could not take time to put it
into his pocket.
‘Speed ye! I wish I was driving you all
the way, then,’ said he. The other postillion
was not yet ready. ‘Then your honour sees,’
said he, putting his head into the carriage, ’CONSARNING
of them Garraghties—old Nick and St. Dennis—the
best part, that is the worst part, of what I told
you, proved true; and I’m glad of it, that is,
I’m sorry for it—but glad your honour
knows it in time. So Heaven prosper you!
And may all the saints (barring St. Dennis) have
charge of you, and all belonging to you, till we see
you here again!—And when will it be?’
