'I offered a conjecture that, in the mournful light, his Lordship did not precisely see whom he was addressing. On that the little old man sprang out at me, seized me by the collar, and then fell back on his couch with a groan that was a curse. I put a cordial that stood by him to his lips, and was about to call Mr. Wesley, when he forbade me with his eyebrows, and cried: '"Answer me this question before we part for ever. Did you despatch my letters of April 20 to the King and the others?" '"My Lord," I said, "my duty to you ended with that episcopal laying on of hands, and with that expression which you were pleased to use when I entered." 'He groaned, and said: '"I apologise. I am mad with pain" (which was plainly true), "and grief, and treachery. I beg your pardon, Mr. Kelly, as a Christian and a sick old man." '"My Lord, you honour me. I enclosed the letters, as you directed, in a packet addressed to Mr. Gordon, the banker in Boulogne, and I sent them by the common post, your Lordship not having forbidden the ordinary course." '"Then, damn it, sir, you have ruined us!" said the sick old Christian. "Did I not bid you write to Dillon that nothing of importance should go by the post?" '"But your Lordship did not seem to reckon these letters of importance, for you did not discharge me from sending them in the common course." 'The Bishop groaned again more than once, and there was a whole Commination Service in the sounds. You know Harlequin, Wogan?' Mr. Wogan nodded and wondered. ''Tis Harlequin has ruined us,' said Kelly; 'Harlequin and the Duke of Mar.' 'I am devilish glad to hear it,' said Mr. Wogan. 'Glad to hear it!' exclaimed Kelly, rising from his chair. 'You are told of the discovery of the Great Affair, and the probable ruin of the Cause, and the danger of your friends and yourself, and you are glad to hear it!' 'Faith, I am,' replied Wogan easily, 'for I knew of the discovery before you told me, but I put it down to a lady of your acquaintance.' The Parson very slowly sat himself down again on his chair. 'In Heaven's name, why?' he asked, with a certain suspense. 'Tell your tale first, then I'll tell mine. This is very excellent Florence.'