o be so innocent. Come, Anty, now that you
and mother's so thick, there can be nothing against it."

"But indeed there is, Martin, a great dale against it--though I'm sure
it's good of you to be thinking of me. There's so much against it, I
think we had betther be of one mind, and give it over at once."

"And what's to hinder us marrying, Anty, av' yourself is plazed? Av'
you and I, and mother are plazed, sorrow a one that I know of has a
word to say in the matther."

"But Barry don't like it!"

"And, afther all, are you going to wait for what Barry likes? You
didn't wait for what was plazing to Barry Lynch when you came down
here; nor yet did mother when she went up and fetched you down at five
in the morning, dreading he'd murdher you outright. And it was thrue
for her, for he would, av' he was let, the brute. And are you going to
wait for what he likes?"

"Whatever he's done, he's my brother; and there's only the two of us."

"But it's not that, Anty--don't you know it's not that? Isn't it
because you're afraid of him? because he threatened and frightened you?
And what on 'arth could he do to harum you av' you was the wife of--of
a man who'd, anyway, not let Barry Lynch, or anyone else, come between
you and your comfort and aise?"

"But you don't know how wretched I've been since he spoke to me
about--about getting myself married: you don't know what I've suffered;
and I've a feeling that good would never come of it."

"And, afther all, are you going to tell me now, that I may jist go my
own way? Is that to be your answer, and all I'm to get from you?"

"Don't be angry with me, Martin. I'm maning to do everything for the
best."

"Maning?--what's the good of maning? Anyways, Anty, let me have an
answer, for I'll not be making a fool of myself any longer. Somehow,
all the boys here, every sowl in Dunmore, has it that you and I is to
be married--and now, afther promising me as you did--"

"Oh, I never promised, Martin."

"It was all one as a promise--and now I'm to be thrown overboard. And
why?--because Barry Lynch got dhrunk, and frightened you. Av' I'd seen
the ruffian striking you, I think I'd 've been near putting it beyond
him to strike another woman iver again."

"Glory be to God that you wasn't near him that night," said Anty,
crossing herself. "It was bad enough, but av' the two of you should
ever be set fighting along of me, it would kill me outright."

"But who's talking of fighting, Anty, dea