ave brought the drawing as I promised," said Lady Sophy, taking a
portfolio from the groom who held their horses. "I will show it to your
mother, and perhaps she will let me take hers also."

There were other ladies and several gentlemen, and they expressed an
intention of coming also down to the hut. Lady Sophy guessed that this
would not be pleasant to the boy's mother, and begged them to continue
their ride along the downs, promising in a short time to rejoin them.
Dermot was greatly relieved, for he knew his mother would be much
annoyed at having so many visitors; at the same time he felt equally
sure she would be pleased at seeing the two young ladies.

Widow O'Neil had just reached her hut with a basket of fish on her
shoulders. As the young ladies entered, conducted by Dermot, she placed
two three-legged stools and begged them to be seated, for there was no
chair in the hut.

"You have come to honour an old fishwife with a visit, ladies," she
said; "you are welcome. If I lived in a palace you would be more
welcome still. My boy has told me of your kindness to him. A mother's
heart is grateful. I can give nothing in return, but again I say, you
are welcome."

"We came to show you a drawing I made of him," said Lady Sophy. "Here,
see, do you think it like him?"

"Oh! like him!" exclaimed the widow, lifting up her hands; "indeed, like
him, and far more like him who has gone--his father--whose grave lies
off there in the cold dark sea. I would that I could possess that
drawing, I should prize it more than pearls!"

"I will make you a copy," said Lady Sophy, "on one condition, that you
allow me to make a drawing of yourself."

"Of me! of the old fishwife?" exclaimed the astonished widow. "There is
little that would repay you for doing that, lady!"

The young lady smiled as she gazed at the picturesque costume and the
still handsome features of the woman, although the signs of age had
already come upon them. Her eyes were unusually bright, but her cheek
and mouth had fallen in, and her figure having lost all the roundness of
youth, was thin and wiry.

"Oh yes, you would make a beautiful picture," exclaimed the young lady,
looking at her with the enthusiasm of an artist. "Do sit still on that
cask for a time with a basket of fish at your feet. You must let me
draw you thus. Remember, if you will not, I cannot promise to make a
copy of your son's likeness for you."

"As you will, ladies," answer