'll jist tell you the whole thruth, as I tould it all
before to Mister Frank--that is, Lord Ballindine, up in Dublin; and as
I wouldn't mind telling it this minute to Barry, or Daly, or any one
else in the three counties. When Moylan got the agency, he come out to
me at Toneroe; and afther talking a bit about Anty and her fortune, he
let on as how it would be a bright spec for me to marry her, and I
won't deny that it was he as first put it into my head. Well, thin, he
had schames of his own about keeping the agency, and getting a nice
thing out of the property himself, for putting Anty in my way; but I
tould him downright I didn't know anything about that; and that 'av
iver I did anything in the matter it would be all fair and above board;
and that was all the conspiracy I and Moylan had."

"And enough too, Martin," said the widow. "You'll find it's quite
enough to get us into throuble. And why wouldn't you tell me what was
going on between you?"

"There was nothing going on between us."

"I say there was;--and to go and invaigle me into your schames without
knowing a word about it!--It was a murdhering shame of you--and av' I
do have to pay for it, I'll never forgive you."

"That's right, mother; quarrel with me about it, do. It was I made you
bring Anty down here, wasn't it? when I was up in Dublin all the time."

"But to go and put yourself in the power of sich a fellow as Moylan! I
didn't think you were so soft."

"Ah, bother, mother! Who's put themselves in the power of Moylan?"

"I'll moyle him, and spoil him too, the false blackguard, to turn
agin the family--them as has made him! I wondher what he's to get
for swearing agin us?"--And then, after a pause, she added in a most
pathetic voice "oh, Martin, to think of being dragged away to Galway,
before the whole counthry, to be made a conspirather of! I, that always
paid my way, before and behind, though only a poor widdy! Who's to mind
the shop, I wondher?--I'm shure Meg's not able; and there'll be Mary'll
be jist nigh her time, and won't be able to come! Martin, you've been
and ruined me with your plots and your marriages! What did you want
with a wife, I wondher, and you so well off!"--and Mrs Kelly began
wiping her eyes, for she was affected to tears at the prospect of her
coming misery.

"Av' you take it so to heart, mother, you'd betther give Anty a hint to
be out of this. You heard Daly tell her, that was all Barry wanted."

Martin knew his mother