A proud man was Nicholas, as he saw his mistress thus placed, actually sitting, as he afterwards expressed it, "forenint the Lord," but his thoughts were bent on other matters, and it was no time to indulge his vauntings.
He strove for some time patiently, to catch her eye, for she was so situated as to permit of this, but without success.

He then made a slight attempt to attract her attention by beckoning with his finger; all in vain.

"Oh murther," said he, "what is this for?
I'll have to spake afther all." "Four by honours," said his lordship, "and the odd trick.

Another double, I believe, Miss O'Dowd." Miss O'Dowd nodded a graceful assent, while a sharp-looking old dowager at the side of the table called out, "a rubber of four on, my Lord;" and now began an explanation from the whole party at once.

Nicholas saw this was his time, and thought that in the melee, his hint might reach his mistress unobserved by the remainder of the company.