We may as well hint here that he had touched the Burgundy to some purpose; he was now in that state of mental imbecility where reason, baffled and prostrated by severe mental suffering and agitation, was incapable of sustaining him without having recourse to the bottle.  In the due progress of the night he was helped to bed, and had scarcely been placed and covered up there when he fell fast asleep.

Whitecraft, in the meantime, suspected, of course, or rather he was perfectly aware of the fact, that unless by some ingenious manoeuvre, of which he could form no conception, a marriage with the Cooleen Bawn would be a matter of surpassing difficulty; but he cared not, provided it could be effected by any means, whether foul or fair.  The attachment of this scoundrel to the fair and beautiful Cooleen Bawn was composed of two of the worst principles of the heart—­sensuality and avarice; but, in this instance, avarice came in to support sensuality.  What the licentious passions of the debauchee might have failed to tempt him to, the consideration of her large fortune accomplished.  And such was the sordid and abominable union of the motives which spurred him on to the marriage.

The next morning, being that which was fixed for his wedding-day, he was roused at an early hour by a loud rapping at his hall-door.  He started on his elbow in the bed, and ringing the bell for his valet, asked, when that gentleman entered his apartment half dressed, “What was the matter? what cursed knocking was that?  Don’t they know I can hunt neither priest nor Papist now, since this polite viceroy came here.”

“I don’t know what the matter is, Sir Robert; they are at it again; shall I open the door, sir?”

“Certainly; open the door immediately.”

“I think you had better dress, Sir Robert, and see what they want.”

The baronet threw his long fleshless shanks out of the bed, and began to get on his clothes as fast as he could.

“Ha!” said he, when he was nearly dressed, “what if this should be a Government prosecution for what I have undertaken to do on my own responsibility during the last Administration?  But no, surely it cannot be; they would have given me some intimation of their proceedings.  This was due to my rank and station in the country, and to my exertions, a zealous Protestant, to sustain the existence of Church and State.  Curse Church and State if it be!  I have got myself, perhaps, into a pretty mess by them.”

He had scarcely uttered the last words when Mr. Hastings, accompanied by two or three officers of justice, entered his bedroom.

“Ah, Hastings, my dear friend, what is the matter?  Is there any thing wrong, or can I be of any assistance to you? if so, command me.  But we are out of power now, you know.  Still, show me how I can assist you.  How do you do?” and as he spoke he put his hand out to shake hands with.  Mr. Hastings.