It therefore came to pass that one day he requested an honest,
foolish Irishman, Dick Talbot, afterwards Duke of Tyrconnel, to
attend him in his visit to the lady. He could scarcely have
selected a man more unfitted to the occasion, inasmuch as Talbot
was wholly devoid of tact, and possessed a mind apt to wander at
large at critical moments. He had but recently returned from
Portugal, and was not aware my Lord Carnegy had in the meantime
become Earl of Southesk, nor had he ever met the lady who shared
that title until introduced to her by the duke. When that
ceremony had been duly performed and a few sentences interchanged
between them, Talbot, acting on instructions previously received,
retired into an ante-room and took his post at a window that he
might divert himself by viewing the street, and observing those
who approached the house.

Here he remained for some time, but the study of mankind which
the view admitted did not afford sufficient interest to prevent
him becoming absorbed in his own thoughts, and indifferent to all
objects surrounding him. From this mental condition he was
presently aroused by seeing a carriage draw up to the door, and
its occupant descend and quickly enter the house. Talbot was so
forgetful of his duty that he omitted apprising the duke of this
fact or making any movement until the door of the ante-room
opened, when he turned round to face the intruder. Then he
started forward and cried out, "Welcome, Carnegy!" for it was
no other than he. "Welcome my good fellow! Where the devil have
you been, that I have never been able to set eyes on you since we
were at Brussels! What business brought you here?" he continued
in the same breath; and then added in a tone of banter, "Do you
likewise wish to see Lady Southesk; if this is your intention, my