“Nothing mysterious, I assure you,” said Ormond,--“a mere trifle, which, if it concerned only myself, I would tell directly.” “Let him alone, father,” said King Corny; “I am sure he has a good reason--and I’m not curious: only let me whisper this in your ear to show you my own penetration, Harry--I’d lay my life” (said he, stretching over and whispering), “I’d lay my life Miss Annaly has something to do with it.” “Miss Annaly!--nothing in the world--only--yes, I recollect she was present.” “There now--would not any body think I’m a conjuror? a physiognomist is cousin to (and not twice removed from) a conjuror.” “But I assure you, though you happened to guess right partly as to her being present, you are totally mistaken, sir, as to the rest.” “My dear Harry, _totally_ means _wholly_: if I’m right in a part, I can’t be mistaken in the whole. I am glad to make you smile, any way--and I wish I was right altogether, and that you was as rich as Croesus into the bargain; but stay a bit, if you come home a hero from the wars--that may do--ladies are mighty fond of heroes.” It was in vain that Ormond assured his good old imaginative friend that he was upon a wrong scent. Cornelius stopped to humour him; but was convinced that he was right: then turned to the still smoking Father Jos, and went on asking questions about Dr. Cambray. “I know nothing at all about him,” said Father Jos, “but this, that Father M’Cormuck has dined with him, if I’m not misinformed, oftener than I think becoming in these times--making too free! And in the chapel last Sunday, I hear he made a very extraordinary address to his flock--there was one took down the words, and handed them to me: after remarking on the great distress of the season--first and foremost about the keeping of fast days the year--he allowed the poor of his flock, which is almost all, to eat meat whenever offered to them, because, said he, many would starve--now mark the obnoxious word--‘if it was not for their benevolent Protestant neighbours, who make soup and broth for them.’” “What is there obnoxious in that?” said Cornelius. “Wait till you hear the end--‘and feed and clothe the distressed.’” “That is not obnoxious either, I hope,” said Ormond, laughing. “Young gentleman, you belong to the establishment, and are no judge in this case, permit me to remark,” said Father Jos; “and I could wish Mr. O’Shane would hear to the end, before he joins in a Protestant laugh.” “I’ve heard of a ‘Protestant wind’ before,” said Harry, “but not of a Protestant laugh.” “Well, I’m serious, Father Jos,” said Corny; “let me hear to the end what makes your face so long.” “‘And, I am sorry to say, show more charity to them than their own people, the rich Catholics, sometimes do.’ If that is not downright slander, I don’t know what is,” said Father Jos. “Are you sure it is not truth, Father?” said Corny.