At the centre of the room he stopped, near by the head of the stern column of womanhood which held the position on the right as one entered the hall.

Here Battersleigh paused, making a deep and sweeping bow, and uttered the first open speech which had been heard that evening.
"Ladies and gintlemen," he said in tones easily distinguishable at all parts of the room, "I'm pleased to meet ye all this evenin'.

Perhaps ye all know Battersleigh, and I hope ye'll all meet me friend Captain Franklin, at me side.

We claim the inthroduction of this roof, me good friends, and we welcome everybody to the first dance at Ellisville.
Ladies, yer very dutiful servant! It's well ye're lookin', Mrs.
McDermott; and Nora, gyurl, sure ye're charmin' the night.

Kittie, darlin', how do ye do?
Do ye remember Captain Franklin, all of ye?
Pipe up, ye naygurs--that's right.