remimber exactly her own words; but it was as much | him, said, in the relaxed indolent voice of a man about as to say that she staid at home on last Sunday expectin' to see you.'

to sleep,

'Good night Connor; throth my head's a little soft

'Well, but Bartle, what else?-short an' sweet, to-night-good night.' man.'

'Why, she'll meet you on next Thursday night, God willin', in the same place; an' whin I axed her where, she said you knew it yourself.'

'An' is that all?'

'Good night, Bartle.'

'Connor?'
'Well?'

'Didn't I stand to you to-night? Very well-goo(hiccup) good night!'

On Connor's return, a serious conclave was held upon the best mode of procedure in a matter which presented difficulties that appeared to be insurmountable. The father seizing upon the advice transmitted by Una herself, as that which he had already suggested, insisted that the most judicious course was to propose for her openly, and without appearing to feel

'No, it's not all; she sed it 'ud better to mention the thing to her father. Afther thinkin' it over she says, 'as your father has the na- —(hiccup) (Saints above!) name of bein' so rich, she doesn't know if a friend 'ud interfere but his consint might be got; an' that's all I have to say about it, barrin' that she's a very purty girl, an' I'd advise you not to be too sure of her yet, Bartle. So now I'm for the barn-Good night Far-that there was any inferiority on the part of Connor. (hiccup) (at my cost, you do it!) Fardorougha.'

He rose and proceeded to his sleeping place in the barn, whither Connor, who was struck by his manner, accompanied him.

'Bartle,' said O'Donovan, 'did you take any thing since I saw you last?'

'If they talk about wealth, Connor,' said he, 'say that you are my son, an' that-that-no- -no-I'm too poor for such a boast, but say that you will be able to take good care of any thing you get.'

At this moment the door, which Connor had not bolted, as his father would have done, opened, and

'Only share of two naggins wid my brother Antony Bartle, wrapped in the treble folds of a winnow-cloth, at Peggy Finigan's.'

'I noticed it upon you,' observed Connor; but I don't think they did.'

'An' if they did, too, it's not high thrason I hope.' 'No; but Bartle, I'm oblaged to you. You've acted as a friend to me, an' I won't forget it to you.'

'Dar Deah, an' I'm so much oblaged to you, Connor, that I'll remimber your employin' me in this the longest day I have to live. But Connor?' 'Well, Bartle.'

made a distant appearance.'

'Beg pardon, Connor; I forgot to say that Una's brother, the young priest out o' Maynooth, will be at home from his uncle's where it appears he is at present; an' Miss Una would wish that the proposial 'ud be made while he's at his father's. She says he'll stand her friend, come or go what will. I forgot, begad, to mention it before-so beg pardon, an' wishes you all good night!'

This information tended to confirm them in the course

'I'd take the sacrament, that afther all, a ring you'll recommended by Fardorougha. It was accordingly never put on her.'

‘And what makes you think so, Bartle?'

'I don't—I do—(hiccup) don't know; but somehow something or another tells it to me that you won't; others is fond of her I suppose as well as yourself; and of course they'll stand betune you.'

'Ay, but I'm sure of her.' 'Der Chriastha, but you're not; wait till I see you man and wife, an' thin I'll say so. Here's myself, Bartle, is in love, an' dhough I don't expect ever the girl will or would marry me, be the crass of heaven no other man will have her. Now, how do you know but you may have some one like me-like me, Connor, to stand against you?'

resolved upon that he (Fardorongha) himself should wait upon Bodagh Buie, and in the name of his son formally propose for the hand of his daughter.

To effect this, however, was a matter of no ordinary difficulty, as they apprehended that the Bodagh and his wife would recoil with indignation at the bare notion of even condescending to discuss a topic which, in all probability they would consider as an insult. Not, after all, that there existed, according to the opinion of their neighbours, such a vast disparity in the wealth of each; on the contrary, many were heard to assert, that of the two Fardorougha had the heavier purse. His character, however, was held in such abhorrence by all who knew him, and he ranked in poin of personal respectability and style of living, so fa beneath the Bodagh, that we question if any ordinary occurrence could be supposed to fall upon the peopl with greater amazement than a marriage, or the repor of a marriage, between any member of the two families Flanagan had now deposited himself upon his straw The O'Donovans felt, however, that it was better bed, and after having tugged the bed clothes about | make the experiment already agreed on, than longer

'Bartle,' said Connor, laughing, 'your head's a little moidher'd; give me your hand; whish! the devil take you, man, don't wring my fingers off. Say your prayers, Bartle, an' go to sleep. I say agin I wont forget your kindness to me this night.'

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