y English bodaghs, an' because
there was a lot of us ever an' always hanged from time to time, that's
the raison why we have sich a hatred to the English law still, one an'
all of us. Sure my grandfather, glory be to God, was hanged for killin'
a Sassenagh gauger, and my own father, Miss Julia, did his endeavors
to be as great as the best of them, knowin' no other way for to vex and
revinge himself upon the dirty Sassenaghs of the country; for sure, you
know yourself, it's full o' them'--ay, about us in all directions. Be
borried a horse in a private way from one o' them, but then he escaped
from that; he next had a 'bout at what they call'd perjury, although it
was well known to us all that it was only his thumb he kissed, and, any
how, the thing was done upon a Protestant Bible; but, at all events, he
went an' honest and honorably, as far as gettin' himself transported for
parjury. I hope you understhand, Miss Julia, that I'm accountin' for any
disparagin' observations you might a' heard against us, an' showin' you
why we acted as we did."

"But, Mogue," said she, smiling at this most incomprehensible piece of
family history, "I hope you don't intend to imitate the example or to
share the fate of so many of your family!"

"You really hope so; now do you really hope so, Miss Julia?"

"Unquestionably; for granting you marry, as, I dare say you intend,
would it not be a melancholy prospect for your wife to--"

"Why, then I do intend it; are you not satisfied, Miss Julia? and what
is more, although it's my intention to violate the law in a private and
confidential way, still I have no intention of bein' either hanged or
transported by it; that I may be happy if I have--No, for the sake of
that wife, Miss Julia, do you understand, it's my firm intention to die
in my bed if I can; I hope you feel that there's comfort in that."

"To whatever woman you make happy Mogue, there will be. Well, but,
Mogue, tell me; had you a good day's sport?"

"Sorra worse then; God pardon me for swearin'," he replied. "There riz
a mist in the mountains that a man could build a house wid, if there was
any implements to be found, hard and sharp enough to cut it. All we got
was a brace of grouse and a snipe or two."

"And--hem--well but--hem--why Mogue, you give but a very miserable
account of the proceedings of the day. Had you any one with you?--Oh,
yes, by the way, did I not see Mr. M'Carthy go out with you this
morning?"

"Yes, Miss J