'And amen with all my heart,' said Miss Mag, gaily; ''tis an innocent creature—poor Dan; though he'd be none the worse of a little more lace to his hat, and a little less Latin in his head. But see here, doctor, here's my poor old goose of a mother (and she kissed her cheek) as sick as a cat in a tub.'
And she whispered something in Toole's wig, and they both laughed uproariously.
'I would not take five guineas and tell you what she says,' cried Toole.
'Don't mind the old blackguard, mother dear!' screamed Magnolia, dealing Æsculapius a lusty slap on the back; and the cook at that moment knocking at the door, called off the young lady to the larder, who cried over her shoulder as she lingered a moment at the door—'Now, send her something, Toole, for my sake, to do her poor heart good. Do you mind—for faith and troth the dear old soul is sick and sad; and I won't let that brute, Sturk, though he does wear our uniform, next or near her.'
'Well, 'tisn't for me to say, eh?—and now she's gone,—just let me try.' And he took her pulse.
CHAPTER XXX.
CONCERNING A CERTAIN WOMAN IN BLACK.
nd Toole, holding her stout wrist, felt her pulse and said—'Hem—I see—and—'