“By coorse he will!” said she, proudly. “No matter what he took of a night, nobody ever saw the signs of it on him the next morning.” “I did not ask out of any impertinent curiosity,” continued Massingbred; “but we have, both of us, some rather important business to-morrow in Oughterard. We ought to be there at an early hour.” “I know,” said she, interrupting. “He bid me bring down these;” and she pointed to a case of pistols lying open beside her, and in cleaning which she had been at the moment engaged. “I brought the wrong ones, first.” Here she stammered out something, and grew crimson over her whole face; then suddenly recovering herself, said, “I did n't know it was the 'Terries' he wanted.” “The 'Terries'?” repeated Jack. “Yes, sir. It was these Terry Callaghan shot the two gentlemen with, the same morning, at Croghaglin,--father and son they were!” And saying these words in a voice of the most perfect unconcern possible, she took up a flannel rag and began to polish the lock of one of the weapons. “They 're handsome pistols,” said Jack, rather amused with her remark. “They 're good, and that's better!” replied she, gravely. “That one in your hand has seven double crosses on the stock and nine single.” “The seven were killed on the ground, I suppose?” A short nod of assent was her reply. “Such little events are not unfrequent down here, then?” “Anan!” said she, not understanding his question. Jack quickly perceived that he had not taken sufficient account of Joan's limited acquaintance with language, and said,-- “They often fight in these parts?” “Ayeh! not now,” replied she, in a half-deploring tone. “My father remembers twenty duels for one that does be nowadays.” “A great change, indeed.” “Some say it's all for the better,” resumed she, doubtfully. “But hush,--he's stirring; leave him quiet, and I 'll call you when he's ready.” “And I can depend--” “To be sure you can. He forgets many a thing; but no man living can say that he ever misremembered a duel.” And with these words, in a low whisper, she motioned Massingbred to the door. Jack obeyed in silence, and, ascending to his room, lay down on the bed. He determined to pass the interval before morning in deep thought and self-examination; but, somehow, he had scarcely laid his head on the pillow when he fell off into a heavy sleep, sound and dreamless. The day was just breaking when he was aroused by a somewhat rude shake, and a voice saying,-- “Come, up with you. We 've a sharp ride before us!” Jack started up, and in an instant recalled all the exigencies of the hour. “I have sent the 'tools' forward by a safe hand,” continued Magennis; “and Joan has a cup of tea ready for us below stairs. So lose no time now, and let us be off.”