The House by the Church-YardLe Fanu, Joseph Sheridan
General
The House by the Church-Yard
Le Fanu, Joseph Sheridan
Country life -- Ireland -- Fiction; Ireland -- Social life and customs -- 18th century -- Fiction
'Oh! Dr. Toole, I _am_ in trouble--and I'd like to tell you; but won't
you--won't you promise me now, on your solemn honour, if I do, you won't
tell a human being?' blubbered the poor matron.
'Conscience, honour, veracity, Ma'am--but why should I say any
more--don't you know me, my dear Mrs. Mack?' said Toole in a hot fidget,
and with all the persuasion of which he was master.
'Indeed, I do--and I'm in great trouble--and sometimes think no one can
take me out of it,' pursued she.
'Come, come, my dear Madam, is it money?' demanded Toole.
'Oh! no--it's--'tis a dreadful--that is, there _is_ money in it--but oh!
dear Doctor Toole, there's a frightful woman, and I don't know what to
do: and I sometimes thought you might be able to help me--you're so
clever--and I was going to tell you, but I was ashamed--there now, it's
out,' and she blubbered aloud.
'_What's_ out?' said Toole, irritated. 'I can't stop here all day, you
know; and if you'd rather I'd go, say so.'
'Oh no, but the major, nor Maggy does not know a word about it; and so,
for your life, don't tell them; and--and--here it is.'
And from her pocket she produced a number of the _Freeman's Journal_,
five or six weeks old and a great deal soiled.
'Read it, read it, doctor dear, and you'll see.'
'Read all this! thank you, Ma'am; I read it a month ago,' said the
doctor gruffly.
'Oh! no--this--only there--you see--_here_,' and she indicated a
particular advertisement, which we here reprint for the reader's
instruction; and thus it ran--
"MARY MATCHWELL'S most humble Respects attend the Nobility
and Gentry. She has the Honour to acquaint them that she transacts
all Business relative to Courtship and Marriage, with the utmost
Dispatch and Punctuality. She has, at a considerable Expense,
procured a complete List of all the unmarried Persons of both Sexes
in this Kingdom, with an exact Account of their Characters,
Fortunes, Ages, and Persons. Any Lady or Gentleman, by sending a
Description of the Husband or Wife they would chuse, shall be
informed where such a One is to be had, and put in a Method for
obtaining him, or her, in the speediest Manner, and at the smallest
Expense. Mrs. Matchwell's Charges being always proportioned to the
Fortunes of the Parties, and not to be paid till the Marriage takes
place. She hopes the Honour and Secrecy she will observe in her
Dealings, will encourage an unfortunate Woman, who hath experienced
the greatest Vicissitudes of Life, as will be seen in her Memoirs,
which are shortly to be published under the Title of 'Fortune's
Football.' All Letters directed to M. M., and sent Post paid to the
Office where this Paper is published, shall be answered with
Care."'
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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