le of your father's hopefulness,
eh?'

'You could not change to anything I could like better than what you are,'
said she, taking his hand and kissing it.

'Ah, you 're a rare one to say coaxing things,' said he, looking fondly on
her. 'I believe you'd be the best advocate for either of us if the courts
would let you plead for us.'

'I wish they would, sir,' said she proudly.

'What is that?' cried he suddenly; 'sure it's not putting myself you are in
the picture!'

'Of course I am, sir. Was not the O'Caharney your ancestor? Is it likely
that an old race had not traits of feature and lineament that ages of
descent could not efface? I'd swear that strong brow and frank look must be
an heirloom.'

''Faith, then, almost the only one!' said he, sighing. 'Who's making that
noise out there?' said he, rising and going to the window. 'Oh, it's Kate
with her dogs. I often tell her she 'd keep a pair of ponies for less than
those troublesome brutes cost her.'

'They are great company to her, she says, and she lives so much in the open
air.'

'I know she does,' said he, dropping his head and sitting like one whose
thoughts had taken a brooding, despondent turn.

'One more sitting I must have, sir, for the hair. You had it beautifully
yesterday: it fell over on one side with a most perfect light on a large
lock here. Will you give me half an hour to-morrow, say?'

[Illustration: 'One more sitting I must have, sir, for the hair']

'I can't promise you, my dear. Peter Gill has been urging me to go over to
Loughrea for the fair; and if we go, we ought to be there by Saturday, and
have a quiet look at the stock before the sales begin.'

'And are you going to be long away?' said she poutingly, as she leaned over
the back of his chair, and suffered her curls to fall half across his face.

'I'll be right glad to be back again,' said he, pressing her head down till
he could kiss her cheek, 'right glad!'

CHAPTER VI

THE 'BLUE GOAT'

The 'Blue Goat' in the small town of Moate is scarcely a model hostel.
The entrance-hall is too much encumbered by tramps and beggars of various
orders and ages, who not only resort there to take their meals and play at
cards, but to divide the spoils and settle the accounts of their several
'industries,' and occasionally to clear off other scores which demand
police interference. On the left is the bar; the right-hand being used as
the office of a land-agent, is besieged by crowds o