Why did I come to this place like a pauper, with only one evening gown, when I should have known that if there is a castle anywhere within forty miles you always spend half your time in it!" This slur was totally unjustified, but I pardoned it, because Salemina's temper is ordinarily perfect, and the circumstances were somewhat tragic.

"If you had brought a dozen costumes, they would all be in your room at this moment," I replied; "but we must think of something.

It is impossible for you to remain behind; we were invited more on your account than our own, for you are Dr.La Touche's friend, and the dinner is especially in his honour.

Molly, have you a ladder ?" "Sorra a wan, ma'am." "Could we borrow one ?" "We could not, Mrs.Beresford, ma'am." "Then see if you can break down the door; try hard, and if you succeed I will buy you a nice new one! Part of Miss Peabody's dress is inside the room, and we shall be late to the Castle dinner." The entire corps, with Mrs.Waterford of Mullinavat on top, cast itself on the door, which withstood the shock to perfection.

Then in a moment we heard: "Weary's on it, it will not come down for us, ma'am.