he subject?"

"Why, indeed, mother, it's not an easy thing to answer that question,"
replied Hanna. "She sartinly resaved a letther from him, an' indeed, I
think," she added, her animated face brightening into a smile, "that as
the boys is gone to bed, we had as good read it."

"No, Hanna, darling, don't," said Kathleen--"I beg you won't read it."

"Well, but I beg I will," she replied; "it'll show them, at any rate,
what kind of a reformation is likely to come over him. I have it here in
my pocket--ay, this is it. Now, father," she proceeded, looking at the
letter, "here is a letter, sent to my sister--'To Miss Cavanagh,' that's
what's on the back of it--and what do you think Hycy, the sportheen,
asks her to do for him?"

"Why, I suppose," replied her mother, "to run away wid him?"

"Na"

"Then to give her consent to marry him?" said her father.

"Both out," replied Hanna; "no, indeed, but to lend him five-and-thirty
pounds to buy a mare, called Crazy Jane, belonging to Tom Burton, of the
Race Road!"

"'My Dear Bryan--For heaven's sake, in addition to your other
generosities--for-which I acknowledge myself still in your debt--will
you lend me thirty-five pounds, to secure a beautiful mare belonging to
Tom Burton, of the Race Road? She is a perfect creature, and will, if I
am not quick, certainly slip through my fingers. Jemmy, the gentleman'--

"This is what he calls his father, you must know.

"'Jemmy, the gentleman, has promised to stand to me some of these
days, and pay off all my transgressions, like a good, kind-hearted,
soft-headed old Trojan as he is; and, for this reason, I don't wish to
press him now. The mare is sold under peculiar circumstances; otherwise
I could have no chance of her at such a price. By the way, when did you
see Katsey'--

"Ay, Katsey!--think of that, now--doesn't he respect your daughter
very much, father?

"'By the way, when did you see Katsey Cavanagh?--'"

"What is this you're readin' to me?" asked her father. "You don't mean
to say that this letter is to Kathleen?"

"Why, no; but so much the better--one has an opportunity now of seein'
what he is made of. The letter was intended for Bryan M'Mahon; but he
sent it, by mistake, to Kathleen. Listen---

"'When did you see Katsey Cavanagh? She certainly is not ill-looking,
and will originate you famous mountaineers. Do, like a good fellow,
stand by me at this pinch, and I will drink your health and Kat-sey's,
and that you