ghter's marriage.

Barry Lynch sneaked up the town, like a beaten dog. He felt that the
widow had had the best of it, and he also felt that every one in
Dunmore was against him. It was however only what he had expected, and
calculated upon; and what should he care for the Dunmore people? They
wouldn't rise up and kill him, nor would they be likely even to injure
him. Let them hate on, he would follow his own plan. As he came near
the house gate, there was sitting, as usual, Jacky, the fool.

"Well, yer honer, Masther Barry," said Jacky, "don't forget your poor
fool this blessed morning!"

"Away with you! If I see you there again, I'll have you in Bridewell,
you blackguard."

"Ah, you're joking, Masther Barry. You wouldn't like to be afther doing
that. So yer honer's been down to the widdy's? That's well; it's a
fine thing to see you on good terms, since you're soon like to be so
sib. Well, there an't no betther fellow, from this to Galway, than
Martin Kelly, that's one comfort, Masther Barry."

Barry looked round for something wherewith to avenge himself for this,
but Jacky was out of his reach; so he merely muttered some customary
but inaudible curses, and turned into the house.

He immediately took pen, ink, and paper, and, writing the following
note dispatched it to Tuam, by Terry, mounted for the occasion, and
directed on no account to return without an answer. If Mr Daly wasn't
at home, he was to wait for his return; that is, if he was expected
home that night.

Dunmore House, Feb. 1844.

My dear Sir,

I wish to consult you on legal business, which will _bear no
delay_. The subject is of considerable importance, and I am
induced to think it will be more ably handled by you than by
Mr Blake, my father's man of business. There is a bed at your
service at Dunmore House, and I shall be glad to see you to
dinner to-morrow.

I am, dear Sir, Your faithful servant,

BARRY LYNCH.

P.S.--You had better not mention in Tuam that you are coming
to me,--not that my business is one that I intend to keep
secret.

J. Daly, Esq., Solicitor, Tuam.

In about two hours' time, Terry had put the above into the hands of the
person for whom it was intended, and in two more he had brought back an
answer, saying that Mr Daly would be at Dunmore House to dinner on the
following day. And Terry, on his journey there and back, did not forget
to tell everyone he saw, from whom he c