of taking to the highway, or
burning their neighbor's premises, than supporting the interests or
strengthening the hands of any public man placed, in a position to use
a hostile influence against them. There was only one other family in the
barony, who in all that the M'Mahon's felt respecting their religion and
civil liberty, Were far in advance of them. These were the Cavanaghs,
between whom and the M'Mahons their existed so many strong points
of resemblance that they only differed from the others in
degree--especially on matters connected with religion and its
privileges. In these matters the Cavanaghs were firm, stern, and
inflexible--nay, so heroic was the enthusiasm and so immovable the
attachment of this whole family to their creed, that we have no
hesitation whatever in saying that they would have laid down their lives
in its defence, or for its promotion, had such a sacrifice been demanded
from them. On such a family, then, it is scarcely necessary to
describe the effects of what was termed Bryan M'Mahon's apostacy. The
intelligence came upon them in fact like a calamity. On the very evening
before, Gerald Cavanagh, now a fierce advocate for Edward Burke, having,
in compliance with old Jemmy, altogether abandoned Hycy, had been urging
upon Kathleen the prudence and propriety of giving Bryan M'Mahon up, and
receiving the address of young Burke, who was to inherit the bulk of his
father's wealth and property; and among other arguments against M'Mahon
he stated a whisper then gaining ground, that it was his intention to
vote for Vanston.

"But I know to the contrary, father," said Kathleen, "for I spoke to
him on that very subject, and Bryan M'Mahon is neither treacherous nor
cowardly, an' won't of course abandon his religion or betray it into the
hands of its enemies. Once for all, then," she added, calmly, and with
a smile full of affection and good humor, "I say you may spare both
yourself and me a great deal of trouble, my dear father, I grant you
that I like and esteem Edward Burke as a friend, an' I think that he
really is what his brother Hycy wishes himself to be thought--a true
gentleman--but that is all, father, you know; for I would scorn to
conceal it, that Bryan M'Mahon has my affections, and until he proves
false to his God, his religion, and his country, I will never prove
false to him nor withdraw my affections from him."

"For all that," replied her father, "it's strongly suspected that he's
goi