'With all deference to your better judgment, my lord, I anticipate a far
different result.'

'Well, then, I wish you all prosperity in your adventurous undertaking,'
replied the earl, 'but be careful to keep within sight of the ship.'

'I shall undoubtedly be very careful about that, sir, for although I own
that I am an enthusiastic lover of romantic adventures, I do not by any
means, aspire to the envious celebrity of being left alone, in all my
glory, upon a desolate island. But who amongst all the party is hardy
enough to volunteer to go with me. Will you, Arthur?'

'Why, what a selfish fellow you have got to be, Henry,' said Mary
Hamilton, 'to start on a wild goose chase yourself, and then ask the
only other young gentleman of the party to accompany you.'

'That would be ungallant, without dispute,' chimed in 'sweet' Ellen
Armstrong.

'Upon a second thought, I am compelled to believe it would,' replied
Henry. 'But to settle the matter, by Lord Armstrong's leave, I will take
his servant Patrick with me.'

'Do you hear that, Patrick,' asked the earl?

'Indade, sir, and I do,' replied Mr. Patrick O'Leary, with the true
Hibernian accent. 'And its to the end of the world that I would follow
swate master Henry, intirely.'