roved at the Assizes, and the disreputable parties to it
punished, unless you will consent, at any rate for a time, to put
yourself under the protection of your brother.

In the meantime pray believe me, dear Anty, in spite of
appearances,

Your affectionate brother,

BARRY LYNCH.

It was then agreed that this letter should be copied and signed by
Barry, and delivered by Terry on the following morning, which was
Sunday. Daly then returned to Tuam, with no warm admiration for his
client.

In the meantime the excitement at the inn, arising from Anty's arrival
and Martin's return, was gradually subsiding. These two important
events, both happening on the same day, sadly upset the domestic
economy of Mrs Kelly's establishment. Sally had indulged in tea almost
to stupefaction, and Kattie's elfin locks became more than ordinarily
disordered. On the following morning, however, things seemed to fall
a little more into their places: the widow was, as usual, behind her
counter; and if her girls did not give her as much assistance as she
desired of them, and as much as was usual with them, they were perhaps
excusable, for they could not well leave their new guest alone on the
day after her coming to them.

Martin went out early to Toneroe; doubtless the necessary labours of
the incipient spring required him at the farm but I believe that if his
motives were analysed, he hardly felt himself up to a _tete-a-tete_
with his mistress, before he had enjoyed a cool day's consideration of
the extraordinary circumstances which had brought her into the inn as
his mother's guest. He, moreover, wished to have a little undisturbed
conversation with Meg, and to learn from her how Anty might be inclined
towards him just at present. So Martin spent his morning among his
lambs and his ploughs; and was walking home, towards dusk, tired
enough, when he met Barry Lynch, on horseback, that hero having come
out, as usual, for his solitary ride, to indulge in useless dreams of
the happy times he would have, were his sister only removed from her
tribulations in this world. Though Martin had never been on friendly
terms with his more ambitious neighbour, there had never, up to this
time, been any quarrel between them, and he therefore just muttered
"Good morning, Mr Lynch," as he passed him on the road.

Barry said nothing, and did not appear to see him as he passed; but
some idea struck him as soon as he had passed, and he pu