on my ungrateful conscience," he replied,
turning up his red eyes, as it were with thanksgiving, "there's not the
stain of blood and murdher on it--that's one comfort."

Mrs. Dalton did not seem to hear him, neither did she seem to look in
the direction of where he stood. As the words were uttered she had
been in the act of extending her hand to Mave Sullivan, who had hers
stretched out to receive it. There now occurred, however, a mutual
pause. Her hand was withdrawn, as was that of Mave also, who had
suddenly become pale as death.

"God bless you, my darlin' girl!" exclaimed Mrs. Dalton, sighing, as
if with some hidden sorrow; "God bless you and yours, prays my unhappy
heart this day!"

And with these words she was about to depart, when Mave, trembling and
much agitated, laid her hand gently and timidly upon her,--adding, in a
low, sweet, tremulous voice,

"My heart is free from that suspicion--I can't tell why--but I don't
believe it."

And while she spoke, her small hand gradually caught that of Mrs.
Dalton, as a proof that she would not withhold the embrace on that
account. Mrs. Dalton returned her pressure, and at the same moment
kissed the fair girl's lips, who sobbed a moment or two in her arms,
where she threw herself. The other again invoked a blessing upon her
head, and walked out, having wiped a few tears from her pale cheeks.

The miser looked upon this exhibition of feeling with some surprise; but
as his was not a heart susceptible of the impressions it was calculated
to produce, he only said in a tone of indifference:

"Well, to be sure now, Mave, I didn't expect to see you shakin' hands
wid and kissin' Condy Dalton's wife, at any rate, considerin' all that
has happened atween the families. However, it's good to be forgivin';
I hope it is; indeed I know that; for it comes almost to a feelin' in
myself. Well, _achora_, what am I to do for you?"

"Will you let me speak to you inside a minute?" she asked.

"Will I? Why, then, to be sure I will; an' who knows but it's my
daughter-in-law I might have you yet, _avillish!_ Yourself and Darby's
jist about an age. Come inside, _ahagur_."

Their dialogue was not of very long duration. Skinadre, on returning to
the scales, weighed two equal portions of oatmeal, for one of which Mave
paid him.

"I will either come or send for this," she said laying her hand on the
one for which she had paid. "If I send any one, I'll give the token I
mentioned."

"Ver