Page:Biographia Hibernica volume 1.djvu/63

54 Barry was heard on the staircase, calling to one of his servants, and betrayed the official fib of the lacquey. "There," said the sphynx, "I knew you were telling me a lie; he is at home, and I must see him directly;" and immediately ran up the stairs. Mr. Barry, who had seen her before, kenned, at a glance, the object of her mission, and met her at the stairs' head, with a smile of ineffable kindness, welcomed her to his house, took her politely by both hands; led her into the drawing-room (frowning like a bear), made a thousand kind inquiries about her good, kind husband, and her dear little children; shewed her his pictures; consulted her judgment as to the likeness of his own portrait; lamented her fatigue in walking so far in so cold a morning; rang up his servants; ordered fresh coffee and chocolate; would hear no excuse, but insisted that she should take some refreshment, after so long a ramble. The table was spread with elegancies: preserved fruits, honey-combs, liqueurs, and cordials, courted her palate to fruition, and a large glass of excellent cherry-brandy, pressed on her with persuasive kindness, banished from her countenance all the stern array of the morning, and attuned her heart to such kindness, that all debts were forgotten, and all demands rendered quite impossible. The lady, overwhelmed with politeness, was about to depart, but Mr. Barry could not suffer this in an ordinary way, nor leave his victory incomplete. He insisted on giving her a set-down at her house, in his own carriage. He backed his request with another small glass of cherry-brandy, to fortify her stomach against the cold air. The carriage was ordered, and, after a circuit of three miles through the principal streets of the metropolis, he set the lady down at her own door, with the kindest expressions of politeness and respect, and the highest opinion of his person and character.

The husband, who awaited with eagerness the return of his wife, drily asked, "Well, my dear, I suppose you have got the money?" But the lady, finding in her own