ey talked thus, they gained the outskirts of the city, and
gradually left the lamps and the well-lighted shops behind. Their
way now led along a dreary road by the sea-side, towards the little
bathing-village of Clontarf, beyond which, in a sequestered spot called
the Green Lanes, their humble home stood. It was a long and melancholy
walk; the sorrowful sounds of the sea beating on the shingly strand
mingling with the dreary plashing of the rain; while farther out, a
continuous roar as the waves rolled over the "North Bull," added all the
terrors of storm to the miseries of the night.

"The winter is setting in early," said Kellett "I think I never saw a
severer night."

"A sad time for poor fellows out at sea!" said the girl, as she turned
her head towards the dreary waste of cloud and water now commingled into
one.

"'T is exactly like our own life, out there," cried he: "a little
glimpse of light glimmering every now and then through the gloom,
but yet not enough to cheer the heart and give courage; but all black
darkness on every side."

"There will come a daybreak at last," said the girl, assuredly.

"Faith! I sometimes despair about it in our own case," said he, sighing
drearily. "To think of what I was once, and what I am now! buffeted
about and ill used by a set of scoundrels that I 'd not have suffered to
sit down in my kitchen. Keep that rag of a shawl across your chest; you
'll be destroyed entirely, Bella."

"We'll soon be within shelter now, and nothing the worse for this
weather, either of us," replied she, almost gayly. "Over and over
again have you told me what severe seasons you have braved in the
hunting-field; and, after all, papa, one can surely endure as much for
duty as in pursuit of pleasure,--not to say that our little cottage
never looks more homelike than after a night like this."

"It's snug enough for a thing of the kind," murmured he, half
reluctantly.

"And Betty will have such a nice fire for us, and we shall be as
comfortable and as happy as though it were a fine house, and we
ourselves fine folk to live in it."

"The Kelletts of Kellett's Court, and no better blood in Ireland," said
he, sternly. "It was in the same house my grandfather, Morgan Kellett,
entertained the Duke of Portland, the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland; and
this day, as I stand here, there isn't a chap in the Castle-yard would
touch his hat to me!"

"And what need have we of them, papa? Will not our pride of go