tinues speaking to Talbot) Lord John thanks you, Mr. Talbot-This is the second part of the caricatura-Lord John thanks you for these proofs of friendship-Lord John has reason to thank you, Mr. Talbot.

Rory. No reason in life now-Don't be thinking so much for nothing in life, or if you must be thinking o'somebody, it's me you ought to thank.

Lord J. I ought and do, sir, for unmasking one who

Talb. (warmly) Unmasking, my

lord

Rory. (holding them asunder) Phoo! phoo! phoo! be easy, can't ye-there's no unmasking at all in the case-My Lord John, Talbot's writing the song was all a mistake.

Lord J. As much a mistake as your singing it, sir, I presume

Rory. Just as much-'Twas all a mis-` take-So now don't you go and make a mistake into a misunderstanding-It was I made every word of the song out o' the face-that about the back that never was bent, and the ancestors and the oyster and all-He did not write a word of it; upon my conscience I wrote it all -though I'll engage you didn't think I could write such a good thing.

(Lord John turns away)

I'm telling you the truth and not a word of lie, yet you won't believe me.

Lord J. You will excuse me, sir, if I cannot believe two contradictory assertions within two minutes-Mr. Talbot, I thank you. (going)

[Rory tries to stop Lord John from going, but cannot-Exit Lord John.

* From beginning to end.

Rory. Well, if he will

go, let him go

then, and much good may it do him—

Nay, but don't you go too.

Talb. O, Rory, what have you done?

(Talbot runs after Lord J.)

Talb. Hear me, my Lord. (Exit Talbot.)

Rory. Hear him! hear him! hear him!-Well, I'm point blank mad with myself for making this blunder-but how could I help it ?-As sure as ever I am meaning to do the best thing on earth, it runs out the worst

(Enter a party of lads huzzaing) Rory. (joins) Huzza!-Huzza!— Who pray are ye huzzaing for?—

1st Boy. Wheeler! Wheeler for ever! Huzza

Rory.Talbot! Talbot for ever! Huzza ! --Captain Talbot for ever! Huzza! 2d Boy. Captain he'll never be, at

least not to-morrow, for Lord John has just declared for Wheeler.

1st Boy. And that turns the scale. Rory. O, the scale may turn back again.

3d Boy. Impossible! Lord John has just given his promise to Wheeler-I heard him with my own ears.

(Several speak at once) And I heard him, and I—and I!—and I!-Huzza'! Wheeler for ever!

Rory. Oh murder! murder! murder! (aside) this goes to my heart-It's all my doing-O my poor Talbot! murder! murder! murder!-But I won't let them see me cast down, and it is good to be huzzaing at all eventsHuzza for Talbot!-Talbot for ever! Huzza![Exit.

(Enter Wheeler and Bursal.) Wheel. Who was that huzzaing for Talbot?

[Rory behind the scenes, "Huzza for Talbot !-Talbot for ever!

Huzza !"

Bur. Pooh, it is only Rory O'Ryan, or the roaring lion, as I call him-Ha! ha! ha! Rory O'Ryan, alias roaring lion-that's a good one-put it about, Rory O'Ryan the roaring lion, ha! ha! ha!--but you don't take it-you don't laugh, Wheeler.

Wheel. Ha! ha! ha! O, upon my honour I do laugh, ha! ha! ha! (It is the hardest work to laugh at his wit.) Rory O'Ryan the roaring lion, ha! ha! ha!--You know I always laugh, Bursal, at your jokes, he! he! he! ready to kill myself.

Burs. (sullenly) You are easily killed