Mrs.Dean's countenance defied expression, and as for Dr.
Portman, when he beheld the scene, and saw his prime favourite and dear pupil Pen, he stood mute with rage and wonder.
Mrs.Haller spied the party below at the same moment, and gave a start and a laugh.

"Sure there's somebody in the Dean's garden," she cried out; and withdrew with perfect calmness, whilst Pen darted away with his face glowing like coals.

The garden party had re-entered the house when he ventured to look out again.

The sickle moon was blazing bright in the heavens then, the stars were glittering, the bell of the cathedral tolling nine, the Dean's guests (all save one, who had called for his horse Dumpling, and ridden off early) were partaking of tea and buttered cakes in Mrs.Dean's drawing-room--when Pen took leave of Miss Costigan.
Pen arrived at home in due time afterwards, and was going to slip off to bed, for the poor lad was greatly worn and agitated, and his high-strung nerves had been at almost a maddening pitch when a summons came to him by John the old footman, whose countenance bore a very ominous look, that his mother must see him below.
On this he tied on his neckcloth again, and went downstairs to the drawing-room.

There sate not only his mother, but her friend, the Reverend Doctor Portman.