ort to expect
any one to make up their mind about it. Let them not be rash themselves
aither, for I tell you that when people marry in haste, they're apt to
have time enough to repint at laysure."

"Well, but Fardorougha acushla, now hear me, throth it's thruth and
sinse what you say; but still, avourneen, listen; now set in case
that the Bodagh and his wife don't consint to their marriage, or to
do anything for them, won't you take them a farm and stock it bravely?
Think of poor Connor, the darlin' fine fellow that he is. Oh, thin,
Saver above, but it's he id go to the well o' the world's end to ase
you, if your little finger only ached. He would, or for myself, and yet
his own father to trate him wid sich--"

It was in vain she attempted to proceed; the subject was one in which
her heart felt too deep an interest to be discussed without tears. A
brief silence ensued, during which Fardorougha moved uneasily on his
seat, took the tongs, and mechanically mended the fire, and, peering at
his wife with a countenance twitched as if by _tic douloureux_,
stared round the house with a kind of stupid wonder, rose up, then sat
instantly down, and in fact exhibited many of those unintelligible and
uncouth movements, which, in person of his cast, may be properly
termed the hieroglyphics of human action, under feelings that cannot be
deciphered either by those on whom they operate, or by those who witness
them.

"Yes," said he, "Connor is all you say, an' more--an' more--an'--an'--a
rash act is the worst thing he could do. It's betther, Honor, to spake
to him as I sed, about lettin' the matther be known to Una's family out
of hand."

"And thin, if they refuse, you can show them a ginerous example, by
puttin' them into a dacent farm. Will you promise me that, Fardorougha?
If you do, all's right, for they're not livin' that ever knew you to
braak your word or your promise."

"I'll make no promise, Honor; I'll make no promise; but let the other
plan be tried first. Now don't be pressin' me; he is a noble boy, and
would, as you say, thravel round the earth to keep my little finger from
pain; but let me alone about it now--let me alone about it."

This, though slight encouragement, was still, in Honor's opinion,
quite as much as, if not more, than she expected. Without pressing him,
therefore, too strongly at that moment, she contented herself with a
full-length portrait of their son, drawn with all the skill of a mother
who kne