might not have hindered Dermot from
doing as he chose, he probably would have alarmed his mother, who,
though tolerably intelligent, was too completely under the influence of
superstition to have understood clearly the cause of the priest's
interference. In a certain sense, to Dermot's mind, the advantage he
possessed was not so great as at first sight might appear. As he
advanced in knowledge he became less and less contented with his lot in
life, or rather the wish increased that he might be able to raise
himself above it. By what means, however, was this to be accomplished?
He had no claim upon the Earl, who, although wishing that he might be
taught reading and writing, had not the slightest intention of raising
him above his present occupation. Mr Jamieson gave him no
encouragement; although perhaps, the idea had occurred to the worthy
minister, that the boy was fitted for something above the mere life of
an ordinary fisherman. Still the matter had not as yet troubled
Dermot's mind. It probably only occasionally passed through his
thoughts, that there was an existence, even in this world, something
above that to which it appeared he was doomed. Mr Jamieson had now
resided for a considerable number of years at the vicarage. He came
there with high anticipations of the amount of good he was likely to
effect in that neighbourhood. By degrees, however, he found that his
efforts to raise the people out of the state of ignorance in which they
had been brought up were likely to prove abortive. The parish priest
did not indeed offer him any open opposition, but he set an under
current to work, which silently, though effectually nullified all the
vicar's efforts. Not one proselyte had he made, and at length he
abandoned his previous intentions in despair of success, and consoled
himself with the thought that at least he would perform thoroughly all
the duties of his station. To such a conclusion many persons in his
position have arrived, whether rightly or wrongly it need not here be
said. Mr Jamieson had an only niece, who had of late years come to
reside with him. She was no longer very young, but was a gentle, quiet
woman, whose great desire was to do any good to her fellow-creatures
which lay in her power.

Miss O'Reilly had been for some time aware that a severe affliction was
about to overtake her. When she first arrived at the vicarage, she used
to go among the neighbouring peasantry, carrying a basket