The procession moved slowly round the room, and when it reached the door again retired, each member of it salaaming three times as they had done on entering. Scarcely had they gone, when we burst into a loud fit of laughter at the savage-looking fellow who thought proper to excommunicate us, and were about to discuss his more than common appearance of disgust at our proceedings, when again the door opened, and a turbaned head peeped in, but so altered were the features, that although seen but the moment before, we could hardly believe them the same. The dark complexion--the long and bushy beard were there--but instead of the sleepy and solemn character of the oriental, with heavy eye and closed lip, there was a droll, half-devilry in the look, and partly open mouth, that made a most laughable contrast with the head-dress. He looked stealthily around him for an instant, as if to see that all was right, and then, with an accent and expression I shall never forget, said, "I'll taste your wine, gentleman, an it be pleasing to ye." CHAPTER XLV. A DAY IN THE PHOENIX. When we were once more in the coupe of the diligence, I directed my entire attention towards my Irish acquaintance, as well because of his apparent singularity, as to avoid the little German in the opposite corner. "You have not been long in France, then, sir," said I, as we resumed our conversation. "Three weeks, and it seems like three years to me--nothing to eat--nothing to drink--and nobody to speak to. But I'll go back soon --I only came abroad for a month." "You'll scarcely see much of the Continent in so short a time." "Devil a much that will grieve me--I didn't come to see it." "Indeed!" "Nothing of the kind; I only came--to be away from home." "Oh! I perceive." "You're quite out there," said my companion, misinterpreting my meaning. "It wasn't any thing of that kind. I don't owe sixpence. I was laughed out of Ireland--that's all, though that same is bad enough." "Laughed out of it!" "Just so--and little you know of Ireland if that surprises you." After acknowledging that such an event was perfectly possible, from what I myself had seen of that country, I obtained the following very brief account of my companion's reasons for foreign travel: