“He said he 'd call for me on his way,” said Lord Beerhaven, “and I waited some time for him; but as I would not risk spoiling your Lordship's _entrées_, I came away at last.” This speech was made by one who felt no small uneasiness on his own part respecting the cookery, and took the occasion of suggesting his fears, as a hint to order dinner. “Shall we vote him present, then?” said Lord Castle-reagh, who saw the look of dismay the further prospect of waiting threw over the party. “By all means,” said Lord Beerhaven; “Heffernan never eats soup.” “I don't think he cares much for fish, either,” said Hamilton. “I think our friend Con is fond of walnuts,” said the Knight, dryly. “Them 's the unwholesomest things he could eat,” muttered old Hickman, who, although seated in a corner of the room, and partly masked by his son and grandson, could not be altogether secluded from earshot. “Are they indeed?” said the bishop, turning sharply round; for the theme of health was one that engaged all his sympathies; and although his short apron covered a goodly rotundity of form, eating exacted to the full as many pains as it afforded pleasures to the Churchman. “Yes, my Lord,” said Hickman, highly gratified to obtain such exalted notice; “there's an essential oil in them that destroys the mucous membrane--” “Destroys the mucous membrane!” said the bishop, interrupting him. “Mine is pretty much in that way already,” said Lord Beerhaven, querulously; “five-and-twenty minutes past six.” “No, no, my dear Darcy,” said Lord Drogheda, who, having drawn the Knight aside, was speaking in an earnest but low tone, “I never was easier in my life, on the score of money; don't let the thing give you any trouble; consult Gleeson about it, he's a clever fellow, and take your own time for the payment.” “Gleeson is a clever fellow, my Lord, but there are straits that prove too much even for his ingenuity.” “Ah! I know what you mean,” said Lord Drogheda, secretly, “you 've heard of that Spanish-American affair,--yes, he made a bad hit there; some say he'll lose fifty thousand by it.” Dinner was at this moment announced, and the Knight was unable to learn further on a subject the little he had heard of which gave him great sorrow. Unfortunately, too, his position at table was opposite, not next, to Lord Drogheda, and he was thus compelled to wait for another opportunity of interrogating him.