“'I am sorry my memory was better than his,' said my grandfather, 'and I wish you a very good morning.' “'Oh, don't go; wait a moment; let us see if we can't put this matter straight. You want the Duke to dine with you?' “'No, I don't; I tell you I 've given it up.' “'Well, well, perhaps so; will it do if you dine with him?' “My grandfather had his hand on the lock,--he was just going,--he turned round, and fixed his eyes on the captain. “'Are you in earnest, or is this only more of the same game?' said he, sternly. “'I'll make that very easy to you,' said the captain; 'I 'll bring the invitation to you this night; the mare doesn't run till to-morrow; if you don't receive the card, the rest is in your own power.' “Well, ma'am, my story is now soon told; that night, about nine o'clock, there comes a footman, all splashed and muddy, in a Castle livery, up to the door of the Lodge, and he gave a violent pull at the bell, and when the servant opened the door, he called out in a loud voice, 'From his Excellency the Lord-Lieutenant,' and into the saddle he jumped, and away he was like lightning; and, sure enough, it was a large card, all printed, except a word here and there, and it went something this way:-- “'I am commanded by his Excellency the Lord-Lieutenant to request the pleasure of Mr. Dempsey's company at dinner on Friday, the 23d instant, at the Lodge, Phoenix Park, at seven o'clock. “'Granville Vereker, _Chamberlain_. “'Swords and Bags.' “'At last!' said my grandfather, and he wiped the tears from his eyes; for to say the truth, ma'am, it was a long chase without ever getting once a 'good view.' I must hurry on; the remainder is easy told. Let-Me-Alone-Before-the-People won the cup, my grandfather was chaired home from the course in the evening, and kept open house at the Lodge for all comers while the races lasted; and at length the eventful day drew near on which he was to realize all his long-coveted ambition. It was on the very morning before, however, that he put on his Court suit for about the twentieth time, and the tailor was standing trembling before him while my grandfather complained of a wrinkle here or a pucker there. “'You see,' said he, 'you've run yourself so close that you 've no time now to alter these things before the dinner.' “'I 'll have time enough, sir,' says the man, 'if the news is true.' “'What news?' says my grandfather, with a choking in his throat, for a sudden fear came over him. “'The news they have in town this morning.' “'What is it?--speak it out, man!' “'They say-- But sure you 've heard it, sir?' “'Go on!' says my grandfather; and he got him by the shoulders and shook him. 'Go on, or I'll strangle you!' “'They say, sir, that the Ministry is out, and--' “'And, well--'