But it was so comical that one could never rid one's self of a desire to laugh, be his Lordship ever so earnest.

As a result of this amusing manner of speech, his most serious words never produced a thoughtful impression on his hearers.

It is said that the king once laughed when Tyrconnel, in tears, told him of the death of his Lordship's mother.
Arriving at the King's Head, Tyrconnel chose a table in a remote alcove of the dining room.

After the maid had brought us the mulled sack and had gone to fetch the mutton, his Lordship began earnestly, but laughably, to tell me his troubles, and I did my best to listen seriously, though with poor result.
"I want to marry your cousin, baron," he said.

"Yes, yes, go on.