"Now I shall ask one from you, doctor. If I can persuade my kind friends
here to visit us, will you too be of the party sometimes?"

"Not a bit of it. Why should I, sir, expose you to the insolent
criticism my unpolished manners and rude address would bring upon
you--or myself to the disdain that fashionable folk would show me? I
am proud--too proud, perhaps--at the confidence you would repose in
my honor; I don't wish to blush for my breeding by way of recompense.
There, sir,--there is one yonder in every way worthy all the distinction
rank and wealth can give her. I feel happy to think that she is to
move amongst those who, if they cannot prize her worth, will at least
appreciate her fascinations."

"Will Mr. Corrigan consent?"

"He must,--he shall," broke in Tiernay; "I'll insist upon it But come
along with me into the cottage, while the ladies are cementing their
acquaintance; we'll see him, and talk him over."

So saying, he led Cashel into the little library, where, deep sunk in
his thoughts, the old man was seated, with an open book before him, but
of which he had not read a line.

"Con!" cried Tiernay, "Mr. Cashel has come to bring you and Miss Mary
up to the Hall to dinner. There, sir, look at the face he puts on,--an
excuse in every wrinkle of it!"

"But, my dear friend--my worthy doctor--you know perfectly---"

"I 'll know perfectly that you must go,--no help for it I have told Mr.
Cashel that you 'd make fifty apologies--pretend age--Ill-health--want
of habit, and so on; the valid reason being that you think his company a
set of raffs, and--"

"Oh, Tiernay, I beg you 'll not ascribe such sentiments to _me_."

"Well, I thought so myself, t' other day,--ay, half-an-hour ago; but
there is a lady yonder, walking up and down the grass-plot, has made me
change my mind. Come out and see her, man, and then say as many 'No's'
as you please." And, half-dragging, half-leading the old man out,
Tiernay went on:--

"You 'll see, Mr. Cashel, how polite he 'll grow when he sees the bright
eyes and the fair cheek. You 'll not hear of any more refusals then, I
promise you."

Meanwhile, so far had Lady Kilgoff advanced in the favorable opinion
of Miss Leicester that the young girl was already eager to accept the
proffered invitation. Old Mr. Corrigan, however, could not be induced
to leave his home, and so it was arranged that Lady Kilgoff should drive
over on the following day to fetch her; with which underst