Peggy was one of five sisters, and eleven children of the noble house

of Glenmalony; but her husband, though her own cousin, was of the

mother's side, and so had not the inestimable advantage of being allied

to the Malonys, whom she believed to be the most famous family in the

world. Having tried nine seasons at Dublin and two at Bath and

Cheltenham, and not finding a partner for life, Miss Malony ordered her

cousin Mick to marry her when she was about thirty-three years of age;

and the honest fellow obeying, carried her off to the West Indies, to

preside over the ladies of the --th regiment, into which he had just

exchanged.

Before Mrs. O'Dowd was half an hour in Amelia's (or indeed in anybody

else's) company, this amiable lady told all her birth and pedigree to

her new friend. "My dear," said she, good-naturedly, "it was my

intention that Garge should be a brother of my own, and my sister

Glorvina would have suited him entirely. But as bygones are bygones,

and he was engaged to yourself, why, I'm determined to take you as a

sister instead, and to look upon you as such, and to love you as one of

the family. Faith, you've got such a nice good-natured face and way

widg you, that I'm sure we'll agree; and that you'll be an addition to

our family anyway."

"'Deed and she will," said O'Dowd, with an approving air, and Amelia

felt herself not a little amused and grateful to be thus suddenly

introduced to so large a party of relations.

"We're all good fellows here," the Major's lady continued. "There's not

a regiment in the service where you'll find a more united society nor a

more agreeable mess-room. There's no quarrelling, bickering,

slandthering, nor small talk amongst us. We all love each other."

"Especially Mrs. Magenis," said George, laughing.

"Mrs. Captain Magenis and me has made up, though her treatment of me

would bring me gray hairs with sorrow to the grave."

"And you with such a beautiful front of black, Peggy, my dear," the

Major cried.

"Hould your tongue, Mick, you booby. Them husbands are always in the

way, Mrs. Osborne, my dear; and as for my Mick, I often tell him he

should never open his mouth but to give the word of command, or to put

meat and drink into it. I'll tell you about the regiment, and warn you

when we're alone. Introduce me to your brother now; sure he's a mighty

fine man, and reminds me of me cousin, Dan Malony (Malony of

Ballymalony, my dear, you know who mar'ied Ophalia Scully, of

Oystherstown, own cousin to Lord Poldoody). Mr. Sedley, sir, I'm

deloighted to be made known te ye. I suppose you'll dine at the mess

to-day. (Mind that divvle of a docther, Mick, and whatever ye du, keep

yourself sober for me party this evening.)"




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