"It was a search for the picturesque brought him here," replied the Colonel. "For the beautiful and picturesque, Colonel," I added. "Well, well, they are generally united." "Certainly, in this case," said I. "I am glad I asked the Winters this evening." "My dear master will give you a _carte du pays_; he has great genius, though I tell him he is too fond of bread and cheese subjects," observed Miss Vernon. "Bread and cheese subjects?" I asked. "He made an admirable picture of two boys eating bread and cheese, and is rather fond of that style of subjects, which I call, after his first attempt," she replied. "I prefer bread and cheese to Gods and Goddesses myself, but Kate has nurse on her side. The jelly;--thank you. Nurse, how do you like Mr. Winter's pictures; you've seen them?" said the Colonel. "'Deed then I have, sir; it's the scum of the earth he paints; a gentleman painther should be above such raff! Sure little Billy McKeogh, in Killeash, would never put a brush to anything ondher Jupither or Vanius, with crowns on their heads; and whin me uncle wanted a Coach and Horses for a sign, me bould Billy sis, sis he, I don't like thim low subjects, sis he, an he only a bit of a boy. Was the fish right, sir?" This conclusion was _sotto voce_ and addressed with a confidential bend to her master's ear, but reached mine also. Miss Vernon, however, replied aloud and without a shadow of embarrassment at this domestic query. "The fish was very nice, dear nurse." "It was a _chef d'oeuvre_, Colonel," I exclaimed; "we must try to win nurse over to us; Brougière, our _chef_, can do nothing like it." "A few lessons from Mrs. O'Toole," suggested nurse, modestly. "Ah yes, Mrs. O'Toole would be invaluable." "See that, now," said nurse, with a triumphant look, as she retired. "That's a great character," I remarked. "And a good one; I do love nurse!" returned Miss Vernon. "She is thoroughly Irish; an Englishman seldom appreciates such a character," said her grandfather. "But I may do so, I am half Irish; my mother was a De Burgh," I exclaimed eagerly. "Indeed!" said Miss Vernon. "Oh, I remember something of that," observed Colonel Vernon. "Besides, Miss Vernon, did I not serve an apprenticeship to all that is pleasantest in Irish life at Dungar," I continued. "Bravo!" cried the Colonel. "We admit you are half a compatriot," said Miss Vernon. "It is curious, Kate's distinct remembrance of you when you used to play so good naturedly with her at Dungar, and her total unconsciousness of your identity at the ball." "It is too provoking," I returned, "to think my stratagem was in fact unnecessary. Could I have discovered your name I am certain Dungar would have immediately presented itself to my memory. Miss Vernon looks like an Irish woman, and--"