When Denis returned into Mrs. Mehan's big kitchen, the amusements of the evening--dancing and drinking--were on the point of commencing. Shamuth of the pipes, the celebrated composer and musician, was sitting in the corner of the huge fireplace, with a tumbler of punch within reach of his hand, preparing his instrument,--squeaking, and puffing, and blowing in the most approved preparatory style. Mary was working and toiling again for the benefit of her guests--carrying kettles of boiling water into the inner room--emptying pounds of brown sugar into slop-basins and mugs--telling the boys to take their punch--taking a drop herself now and again, with some one who was wishing her health and happiness, and comfort with the man she'd got--inciting the girls to go and dance--and scolding her brother and husband, because, "bad manners to them, divil a hand they'd lend to help her, and she with so much to do, and so many to mind." "And now, Miss Feemy, if you'd only get up and begin, dear, the others would soon folly; come, Captain Ussher--would yer honer jist stand up with Miss Feemy?" "Oh, no, Mary,--you're the bride you know; Captain Ussher must dance with you first." "Oh! laws, Miss, but that'd be too much honour intirely." "No, Mrs. McGovery, but it's I that'll be honoured; so if you will be good enough to stand up with me, I shall be glad to shake a foot with you:" and the gallant Captain led Mary into the middle of the floor. "But, Captain, dear, sorrow a sup of dhrink did I see you take this blessed evening; shure then you'll let me get you a glass of wine before we all begin, jist to prevent your being smothered with the dust like; shure, yer honour hasn't taken a dhrop yet." "I won't be so long, Mary; but I won't have the wine yet, I'll wash the dust out with a tumbler of punch just now. Here's your husband, you must make him dance with the bridesmaid." "I'm afraid then he ain't much good at dancing." "Oh! but he must try.--Come, McGovery, there's Biddy waiting for you to take her out; and here's Shamuth waiting--you don't think, man, he'd begin till you're ready." "Come, Denis," said his gentle spouse, "I never see sich a man; can't ye stand up and be dancing, and not keeping everyone waiting that way?" "Mind yourself, Mary, and you'll have enough to mind. Come, Biddy, alanna, let us have a shake together, all for luck;" and the happy husband led forth Biddy of Ballycloran--she with the big cap--who was only now beginning to regain the serene looks, which had been dispelled by Father John's not permitting her to act as bridesmaid. And now Shamuth--his preparatory puffs having been accomplished--struck up "Paddy Carey" with full force and energy. As this was the first dance, no one stood up but the two couple above named; there were therefore the more left to admire the performance, and better room left for the performers to show their activity.