"Not a doubt of it," said the father; "the rascal's incurable, and
little did I imagine when I asked him once or twice to dine here that I
was preparing such an infliction for poor Julia. Julia didn't he write
to you?"

"I certainly had the honor of receiving a very elaborate love-letter
from him," replied Julia, laughing, "which I will show you some of these
days; but, for my part, I think the fool is beneath resentment, and it
is merely on that principle that I have treated him with good-humored
contempt."

"He is certainly as good as a farce," said the father; "and if the
rascal had kept from making love, I should have still been glad to have
him here from time to time to amuse us."

"How does he live at all?" asked Mrs. Purcel; "for, by all accounts, he
has no fixed place of residence, nor any known means of support."

"Faith, Nancy, that's a subject upon which we are all aiqually
ignorant," replied her husband; "but that the fellow lives, and can live
comfortably--ay, and has plenty of money, there can be no earthly doubt.
At the same time, that there is much talk about him, and a great deal of
mystery too, is a sure case on the other hand. Well, never mind, Jack;
I asked your old tutor, M'Carthy, to dine here to-day; he has come home
to the country after having gained a scholarship, I believe they call
it, in Trinity College."

"I'm glad you did, father," replied John, "and I'm much obliged to you.
Yes, he has gained first place, and I knew he would."