bjects you
don't wish to hear."

"Time enough, dear Hanna," she replied, with a sorrowful look at her
sister, "my heart is so full of suffering and pain that almost anything
will relieve it. You know I was always amused by Finigan's chat." Her
sister, who had not as yet been made acquainted with the change which
had taken place in her heart, on hearing these words looked at her
closely, and smiled sorrowfully, but in such a manner as if she had
at that moment experienced a sensation of pleasure, if not of hope.
Hitherto, whenever a neighbor or stranger came in, Kathleen, fearing
that the forbidden name might become the topic of conversation, always
retired, either to another room or left the house altogether, in order
to relieve her own family from the painful predicament in which their
promise of silence to her had placed them. On this occasion, however,
Hanna perceived with equal surprise and pleasure that she kept her
ground.

"Sit ye, merry jinteels!" said Finigan, as he entered; "I hope I see
you all in good health and spirits; I hope I do; although I am afraid if
what fame--an' by the way, Mrs. Cavanagh, my classicality tells me, that
the poet Maro blundered like a Hibernian, when he made the same fame a
trumpeter, in which, wid the exception of one point, he was completely
out of keeping. There's not in all litherature another instance of a
female trumpeter; and for sound raisons--if the fair sex were to get
possession of the tuba, God help the world, for it would soon be a noisy
one. However, let me recollect myself--where was I? Oh! ay--I am afraid
that if what fame says--an' by the way, her trumpet must have been a
speaking one--be true, that there's a fair individual here whose spirits
are not of the most exalted character; and indeed, and as I am the
noblest work of God--an honest man--I feel sorry to hear the fact."

The first portion of this address, we need scarcely say, was the only
part of it which was properly understood, if we except a word or two at
the close.

"God save you, Misther Finigan."

"O'Finigan, if you plase, Mrs. Cavanagh."

"Well, well," she replied, "O'Finigan, since it must be so; but in troth
I can!t always remember it, Misther Finigan, in regard that you didn't
always stand out for it yourself. Is there any news stirrin', you that's
abroad?"

"Not exactly news, ma'am; but current reports that are now no novelty.
The M'Mahon's--"

"Oh, never mind them," exclaimed Mrs. Cavan