“'She's Martin's mare, is n't she?' said M'Claverty.
“'No, sir, she was bought this morning by Mr. Dempsey, of Tear Fox Lodge.'
“'The devil she is,' said M'Claverty; and he jumped on his horse, and he cantered over to the Lodge.
“'Mr. Dempsey at home?' says he.
“'Yes, sir.'
“'Give him this card, and say, I beg the favor of seeing him for a few moments.'
“The man went off, and came back in a few minutes, with the answer, 'Mr. Dempsey is very sorry, but he 's engaged.'
“'Oh, oh! that's it!' says M'Claverty to himself; 'I see how the wind blows. I say, my man, tell him I 've a message from his Grace the Lord-Lieutenant.'
“Well, the answer came for the captain to send the message in, for my grandfather could n't come out.
“'Say, it's impossible,' said M'Claverty; 'it's for his own private ear.'