“My old luck, Cobham!” said he, as he seated himself at table. “I have fished the stream all the way from the Red House to this, and never so much as a rise to reward me. “They knew you,--they knew you, Withering,” chirped out the Poet, “and they took good care not to put in an appearance, with the certainty of a 'detainer.'” “Ah! you here! That decanter of sherry screened you completely from my view,” said Withering, whose sarcasm on his size touched the very sorest of the other's susceptibilities. “And talking of recognizances, how comes it you are here, and a large party at Lord Dunraney's all assembled to meet you?” The Poet, as not infrequent with him, had forgotten everything of this prior engagement, and was now overwhelmed with his forgetfulness. The ladies, however, pressed eagerly around him with consolation so like caresses, that he was speedily himself again. “How natural a mistake, after all!” said the lawyer. “The old song says,-- 'Tell me where beauty and wit and wine Are met, and I 'll say where I 'm asked to dine.' Ah! Tommy, yours _is_ the profession, after all; always sure of your retainer, and never but one brief to sustain--'T. M. _versus_ the Heart of Woman.'” “One is occasionally nonsuited, however,” said the other, half pettishly. “By the way, how was it you got that verdict for old Barrington t'other day? Was it true that Plowden got hold of _your_ bag by mistake?” “Not only that, but he made a point for us none of us had discovered.” “How historical the blunder:-- 'The case is classical, as I and you know; He came from Venus, but made love to Juno.'” “If Peter Barrington gained his cause by it I 'm heartily rejoiced, and I wish him health and years to enjoy it.” The Admiral said this with a cordial good will as he drank off his glass. “He's all right again,” said Withering. “I left him working away with a hoe and a rake this morning, looking as hale and hearty as he did a dozen years ago.” “A man must have really high deserts in whose good fortune so many are well-wishers,” said Stapylton; and by the courteous tone of the remark Withering's attention was attracted, and he speedily begged the Admiral to present him to his guest. They continued to converse together as they arose from table, and with such common pleasure that when Withering expressed a hope the acquaintance might not end there, Stapylton replied by a request that he would allow him to be his fellow-traveller to Kilkenny, whither he was about to go on a regimental affair. The arrangement was quickly made, to the satisfaction of each; and as they drove away, while many bewailed the departure of such pleasant members of the party, the little Poet simperingly said,-- “Shall I own that my heart is relieved of a care?-- Though you 'll think the confession is petty-- I cannot but feel, as I look on the pair, It is 'Peebles' gone off with 'Dalgetty.'”