lthough I must say that she has
left me under no reason to feel any particular obligations to her."

"And yet there is a delicate and graceful purity in the beauty of little
Dora, which is quite captivating," observed Clinton.

"Very well," replied the other, "I make jou a present of the two fair
rustics; give me the interesting Maria. Ah, Harry, see what education
and manner do. Maria is a delightful girl."

"She is an amiable and a good girl," said her brother; "but, in point of
personal attractions, quite inferior to either of the two we have been
speaking of."

"Finigan," said Hycy--"I beg your pardon, O'Finigan--the great
O'Finigan, Philomath--are you a good judge of beauty?"

"Why, then, Mr. Hycy," replied the pedagogue, "I think, above all
subjects, that a thorough understanding of that same comes most natural
to an Irishman. It is a pleasant topic to discuss at all times."

"Much pleasanter than marriage, I think," said Clinton, smiling.

"Ah, Mr. Clinton," replied the other, with a shrug, "_de mortuis
nil nisi bonum_; but as touching beauty, in what sense do you ask my
opinion?"

"Whether now, for instance, would your learned taste prefer Miss
Cavanagh or Miss Dora M'Mahon? and give your reasons."

"Taste, Mr. Hycy, is never, or at least seldom, guided by reason; the
question, however, is a fair one."

"One at least on a fair subject," observed Clinton.

"Very well said, Mr. Clinton," replied the schoolmaster, with a
grin--"there goes wit for us, no less--and originality besides. See what
it is to have a great janius!--ha! ha! ha!"

"Well, Mr. O'Finigan," pursued Hycy, "but about the ladies? You have not
given us your opinion."

"Why, then, they are both highly gifted wid beauty, and strongly
calculated to excite the amorous sentiments of refined and elevated
affection."

"Well done, Mr. Plantation," said Hycy; "you are improving--proceed."

"Miss Cavanagh, then," continued Finigan, "I'd say was a goddess, and
Miss M'Mahon her attendant nymph."

"Good again, O'Finigan," said Clinton; "you are evidently at home in the
mythology."

"Among the goddesses, at any rate," replied the master, with another
grin.

"Provided there is no matrimony in the question," said Clinton.

"Ah, Mr. Clinton, don't, if you please. That's a subject you may respect
yet as much as I do; but regarding my opinion of the two beauties in
question, why was it solicited, Mr. Hycy?" he added, turning to that
worthy gent