Part 32 (1/2)

”Brought by a gentleman. Who can he be? See what it in, Phelim.”

Phelim undid the fastenings of the lid, and exposed the interior of the basket. It was one of considerable bulk: since inside were discovered several bottles, apparently containing wines and cordials, packed among a paraphernalia of sweetmeats, and other delicacies--both of the confectionery and the kitchen. There was no note accompanying the present--not even a direction--but the trim and elegant style in which it was done up, proved that it had proceeded from the hands of a lady.

Maurice turned over the various articles, examining each, as Phelim supposed, to take note of its value. Little was he thinking of this, while searching for the ”invoice.”

There proved to be none--not a sc.r.a.p of paper--not so much as a _card_!

The generosity of the supply--well-timed as it was--bespoke the donor to be some person in affluent circ.u.mstances. Who could it be?

As Maurice reflected, a fair image came uppermost in his mind; which he could not help connecting with that of his unknown benefactor. Could it be Louise Poindexter?

In spite of certain improbabilities, he was fain to believe it might; and, so long as the belief lasted, his heart was quivering with a sweet beat.i.tude.

As he continued to reflect, the improbabilities appeared too strong for this pleasant supposition; his faith became overturned; and there remained only a vague unsubstantial hope.

”A gintleman lift it,” spoke the Connemara man, in semi-soliloquy. ”A gintleman, she sez; a kind gintleman, I say! Who div yez think he was, masther?”

”I haven't the slightest idea; unless it may have been some of the officers of the Port; though I could hardly expect one of them to think of me in this fas.h.i.+on.”

”Nayther yez need. It wasn't wan av them. No officer, or gintleman ayther, phut them things in the basket.”

”Why do you think that?”

”Pwhy div I think it! Och, masther! is it yerself to ask the quistyun?

Isn't there the smell av swate fingers about it? Jist look at the nate way them papers is tied up. That purty kreel was niver packed by the hand av a man. It was done by a wuman; and I'll warrant a raal lady at that.”

”Nonsense, Phelim! I know no lady who should take so much interest in me.”

”Aw, murdher! What a thumpin' big fib! I know won that shud. It wud be black ungratytude av she didn't--afther what yez did for her. Didn't yez save her life into the bargain?”

”Of whom are you speaking?”

”Now, don't be desateful, masther. Yez know that I mane the purty crayther that come to the hut ridin' Spotty that you presinted her, widout resavin' a dollar for the mare. If it wasn't her that sint ye this hamper, thin Phaylim Onale is the biggest numskull that was iver born about Ballyballagh. Be the Vargin, masther, speakin' of the owld place phuts me in mind of its paple. Pwhat wud the blue-eyed colleen say, if she knew yez were in such danger heeur?”

”Danger! it's all over. The doctor has said so; and that I may go out of doors in a week from this time. Don't distress yourself about that.”

”Troth, masther, yez be only talkin'. That isn't the danger I was drhamin' av. Yez know will enough what I mane. Maybe yez have resaved a wound from bright eyes, worse than that from lid bullets. Or, maybe, somebody ilse has; an that's why ye've had the things sint ye.”

”You're all wrong, Phelim. The thing must have come from the Fort; but whether it did, or not, there's no reason why we should stand upon ceremony with its contents. So, here goes to make trial of them!”

Notwithstanding the apparent relish with which the invalid partook of the products--both of collar and _cuisine_--while eating and drinking, his thoughts were occupied with a still more agreeable theme; with a string of dreamy conjectures, as to whom he was indebted for the princely present.

Could it be the young Creole--the cousin of his direst enemy as well as his reputed sweetheart?

The thing appeared improbable.

If not she, who else could it be?

The mustanger would have given a horse--a whole drove--to have been a.s.sured that Louise Poindexter was the provider of that luxurious refection.