It was in vain that I reminded him of the order that no one was to be admitted to the Bank Guard after tattoo except on duty. He laughed at my scruples; and at last, on his hinting that want of hospitality was at the bottom of my strict observance of standing orders, I was weak enough to give in; and the tempter descending the stairs, stopped to say, by way of encouragement: ‘You know we shan’t be with you before twelve o’clock; and by that time, the Grand rounds will have turned you out, and will be snug in bed in the upper castle.’ So saying, without giving me time to recall my inconsiderate promise, he was off, and I had nothing left me but to call my servant; and between us, we managed to arrange, if not an elegant, at least a comfortable little supper, which was brought in from a neighbouring hotel. Fresh lights were placed upon the now well-furnished table, more coals added to the already roaring fire, beside which simmered a kettle of boiling water, ready to mix with what in the Irish capital is known as ‘the materials;’ and towards the ‘sma’ hours ayont the twal,’ I sat waiting the arrival of my expected guests, as well as the field-officer of the day, who, to my great discomfort and uneasiness, had not up to this hour put in an appearance. I hadn’t long to wait after midnight had struck for Harry P—— and his companions, who didn’t sympathise with me much concerning the non-arrival of the field-officer, Harry only remarking: ‘Oh, he’ll only just look at the guard, and be off to roost with as little delay as he can. The snow is falling fast, and no one with any brains will stay out in it longer than he can help.’ So, ‘laying this flattering unction to our souls,’ we proceeded, without further ceremony, to pay attention to the good things provided for the comfort of the body, and had already got through a fair lot of the bivalves, when suddenly the loud challenge of the sentry at the door below rang through the vaulted corridor: ‘Who comes there?’ The reply from outside was: ‘Rounds;’ then: ‘What rounds?’ Answer: ‘Grand rounds,’ followed by the sentry’s: ‘Stand, Grand rounds; Guard, turn out.’ This called me to take my part in the ceremony; and my visitors, still looking on the affair as a prime joke, proceeded to ensconce themselves in the closet containing the officer’s bedding, which, on account of the expected advent of company, had not as yet been disinterred. As he closed the door, I heard Harry P—— remark, by way of apology to the others: ‘You know, his Satanic Majesty may prompt him to come up-stairs, and so we had better not show till he goes.’