“_Nego, dominie--nego, Dominie revendre_--denial is my principle, I say. Do you assert that there's no difference between _ebrius_ and _gravatus vino_?” “In your case, you reprobate, I do. Where would you get the vino? However,” he proceeded, “as you are seldom sober, and as I know it is possible you may have something of importance to say on a particular subject, I suppose you may as well say it now as any other time, and it's likely we may get more truth out of you.” “Ay,” said the schoolmaster, “upon the principle that _in vino veritas_; but you know that _gravatus vino_ and _ebrius_ are two different things--_gravatus vino_, the juice o' the grape--och, och, as every one knows, could and stupid; but _ebrius_ from blessed poteen, that warms and gives ecstatic nutrition to the heart.” The altercation proceeded for a little, but, after a short remonstrance and bustle, the priest, followed by O'Finigan, entered the room. “Gentlemen,” said the priest, “I trust you will excuse me for the society in which I happen to appear before you; but the truth is that this Finigan--” “Pardon me, your Reverence, O'Finigan if you plaise; we have been shorn of--” “Well, then, since he will have it so, this O'Finigan is really inebriated, and I cannot exactly say why, in this state, his presence can be of any advantage to us.” “He says,” replied the master, “that I am _ebrius_, whereas I replied that I was only _vino gravatus_, by which I only meant _quasi vino gravatus_; but the truth is, gentlemen, that I'm never properly sober until I'm half seas over--for it is then that I have all my wits properly about me.” “In fact, gentleman,” proceeded the priest, “in consequence of certain disclosures that have reached me with reference to these Hogans, I deemed it my duty to bring Nanny Peety before Mr. Chevydale here. She is accompanied by Kate Hogan, the wife of one of these ruffians, who refuses to be separated from her--and insists, consequently, on coming along with her. I don't exactly know what her motive may be in this; but I am certain she has a motive. It is a gratification to me, however, to find, gentlemen, that you both happen to be present upon this occasion. I sent word to Hycy Burke and to Bryan M'Mahon; for I thought it only fair that Hycy should be present, in order to clear himself in case any charge may be brought against him. I expect M'Mahon, too.” “Let us remove, then, to my office,” said, Chevydale--“it is now a few minutes past twelve, and I dare say they will soon be here.” They accordingly did so; and, as he had said, the parties almost immediately made their appearance.