's coffin on mine, in order
that my darling child may sleep where I'd have him sleep, until the
Resurrection Day--that is, upon this lovin' mother's breast. But what is
this?" she asked; "is there a light--a bright light--about me? I feel
happy--happy. Oh sure this is the love of God that is to recompense me
for all!"

Ned, who had her in his arms, felt her head fall down, and on looking at
her, he perceived that she had actually passed away into the happiness
of God's love, which, no doubt, diffused its radiance through her spirit
that was now made perfect.

"Yes," said Father Roche, wiping his eyes, "a pure and noble spirit has
indeed passed from a life of great trial and crushing, calamity into one
of glory and immortality. There is a proof, and a consoling proof,
of the lustre which so often irradiates the death-beds of the humble
classes in Ireland, who die far from the knowledge and notice of the
great, whom their toil probably goes to support."

"Yes," replied Ned, bitterly; "it's an aisy thing for Lord Cumber to
know what's either good or bad upon his estate--how the people live, or
how they die--very aisy, indeed, for a man who never puts a foot on it,
but leaves them to the mercy of such villains as M'Clutchy. Had he been
livin' on his property, or looked afther it as he ought to do, I don't
think it's lyin' stretched, far from house or habitation, that you would
be this night, my blessed mother--my poor father, and your childre cut
down by persecution, and yourself, without house or home, runnin' an'
unhappy, deranged creature about the country, and now lyin' there widout
a roof to cover your poor remains."

"Do not say so," replied Father Roche; "she shall be waked in my house,
and buried at my expense."

"If you'll allow her to be waked there, I will thank you, Father Eoche;
but the expenses of her burial, I am myself able to pay; and so long
as I am, you know, I could not suffer any one else to intherfare; many
thanks to you, sir, in the meantime."

"Well then," said the priest, "as I know and understand the feeling, I
shall not press the matter; but since the body cannot be left without
protection, I think you had better go down, and fetch a few neighbors
with a door, and let her be removed forthwith. I shall remain till you
return."

"It's a very hard thing, Father Roche, that you should be put to sich a
duty," replied O'Regan; "but the truth is, I wouldn't take all the money
in the King's exche