But, as soon as his mind turned that way for consolation, came the bitter concomitant reflection, that his mother must be disappointed in her hopes of his accompanying her home, and of his living with her in Ireland; she would be miserable when she should hear that he was going abroad into the army--and yet it must be so--and he must write, and tell her so.

'The sooner this difficulty is off my mind, the sooner this painful letter is written, the better,' thought he.

'It must be done--I will do it immediately.' He snatched up his pen, and began a letter.
My dear mother--Miss Nugent--' He was interrupted by a knock at his door.
'A gentleman below, my lord,' said a servant, 'who wishes to see you.' I cannot see any gentleman.

Did you say I was at home ?' 'No, my lord; I said you was not at home; for I thought you would not choose to be at home, and your own man was not in the way for me to ask--so I denied you; but the gentleman would not be denied; he said I must come and see if you was at home.

So, as he spoke as if he was a gentleman not used to be denied, I thought it might be somebody of consequence, and I showed him into the front drawing-room.