“On or off the ground, my Lord Loughdooner,” interrupted the Knight, warmly; “he may be, now and then, somewhat hasty or rash; but rich as our country is in men of generous natures, Bagenal Daly is second to none.” “I protest, gentlemen,” said the bishop, gravely; “I wish I could hear a better reason for the panegyric than his skill as a duellist.” “True for you, my Lord,” muttered old Hickman, in a whisper; “he's readier with a pistol-bullet than with the interest on his bond.” “He 'd favor you with a discharge in full, sir, if he heard the observation,” said Hamilton, laughing. “A letter, my Lord,” said a servant, presenting a sealed epistle to the Secretary. “Heffernan's writing, gentlemen, so I shall, with your permission, read it.” He broke the seal, and read aloud: “'My dear Lord,--An adventure, which would be laughable if it were not so provoking, prevents my coming to dinner, so I must leave the menagerie--'” Here he dropped his voice, and, crumpling up the letter, laughingly remarked, “Oh, we shall hear it all later on, I 've no doubt.” “By the by, my Lord, there's a House to-night, is there not?” “No, bishop; we moved an adjournment for to-morrow evening. You 'll come down for the debate, won't you?” The bishop nodded significantly, and sipped his wine. There was now a pause. This was the great topic of the day, and yet, up to this moment, not even a chance allusion to politics had been dropped, and all recoiled from adventuring, even by a word, on a theme which might lead to disagreement or discordance. Old Hickman, however, dated his origin in life too far back for such scruples, and, leaning across the table, said, with an accent to which wine imparted a tone of peculiar cunning, “I wish you well through it, my Lord; for, by all accounts, it is dirty work.” The roar of laughter that followed the speech actually shook the table, Lord Castlereagh giving way to it with as much zest as the guests themselves. Twice he essayed to speak, but each time a fresh burst of mirth interrupted him, while old Hickman, unable to divine the source of the merriment, stared at each person in turn, and at last muttered his consolatory “Ay,” but with a voice that showed he was far from feeling satisfied. “I wish you'd made that speech in the House, Mr. Hickman,” said Lord Drogheda; “I do believe you'd have been the most popular man in Ireland.” “I confess,” said Lord Castlereagh, wiping his eyes, “I cannot conceive a more dangerous opponent to the Bill.” “If he held your own bill, with a protest on it,” whispered Hamilton, “your opinion would not be easily gainsaid.” “May I ask for a cup of coffee?” said the bishop, rising, for he saw that although as yet no untoward results had followed, at any moment something unpleasant might occur. The party rose with him, and adjourned to the drawing-room.