She hid her face between her hands, and sobbed for some seconds.
"At least," said I, "as that letter was destined for me but a few moments since, I trust that you will let me hear its contents." "Oh no--not now--not now," said she entreatingly; and, rising at the same time, she turned to leave the room.

I still held her hand, and pressed it within mine.

I thought she returned the pressure.

I leaned forward to catch her eye, when the door was opened hastily, and a most extraordinary figure presented itself.
It was a short, fat man, with a pair of enormous moustaches, of a fiery red; huge bushy whiskers of the same colour; a blue frock covered with braiding, and decorated with several crosses and ribbons; tight pantaloons and Hessian boots, with long brass spurs.

He held a large gold-headed cane in his hand, and looked about with an expression of very equivocal drollery, mingled with fear.
"May I ask, sir," said I, as this individual closed the door behind him, "may I ask the reason for this intrusion ?" "Oh, upon my conscience, I'll do--I'm sure to pass muster now," said the well-known voice of Mr.O'Leary, whose pleasant features began to dilate amid the forest of red hair he was disguised in.