CHAPTER IX.
HOW A SQUIRE WAS FOUND FOR THE KNIGHT OF THE RUEFUL COUNTENANCE.
When Dr.Toole grumbled at his disappointment, he was not at all aware how nearly his interview with Loftus had knocked the entire affair on the head.

He had no idea how much that worthy person was horrified by his proposition; and Toole walked off in a huff, without bidding him good-night, and making a remark in which the words 'old woman' occurred pretty audibly.

But Loftus remained under the glimpses of the moon in perturbation and sore perplexity.

It was so late he scarcely dared disturb Dr.Walsingham or General Chattesworth.

But there came the half-stifled cadence of a song--not bacchanalian, but sentimental--something about Daphne and a swain--struggling through the window-shutters next the green hall-door close by, and Dan instantly bethought himself of Father Roach.