ther does, he surely will not be allowed in."

John could scarcely preserve a grave face, when Fardorougha presented
himself.

"Is Misther O'Brien widin?" inquired the usurer, shrewdly availing
himself of the hint he received from the servant.

"My father is," replied John; "have the goodness to step in."

Fardorougha entered immediately, followed by young O'Brien, who said,

"Father, this is Mr. O'Donovan, who, it appears, has some important
business with the family."

"Don't be mistherin' me," replied Fardorougha, helping himself to a
seat; "I'm too poor to be misthered."

"With this family!" exclaimed the father in amazement; "what business
can Fardorougha Donovan have with this family, John?"'

"About our children," replied the miser; "about my son and your
daughter."

"An' what about them?" inquired Mrs. O'Brien; "do you dar to mintion
them in the same day together?"

"Why not," said the miser; "ay, an' on the same night, too?"

"Upon my reputaytion, Mr. O'Donovan, you're extramely kind--now be a
little more so, and let us undherstand you," said the Bodagh.

"Poor Una!" thought John, "all's lost; he will get himself kicked out to
a certainty."

"I think it's time we got them married," replied Fardorougha; "the
sooner it's done the better, and the safer for both o' them; especially
for the colleen."

"_Dar a Lorha_, he's cracked," said Mrs. O'Brien; "sorra one o' the poor
soul but's cracked about his money."

"Poor sowl, woman alive! wor you never poor yourself?"

"Yis I wor; an' I'm not ashamed to own it; but, Chierna, Frank," she
added, addressing her husband, "there's no use in spakin' to him."

"Fardorougha," said O'Brien, seriously, "what brought you here?"

"Why, to tell you an' your wife the state that my son, Connor, and your
daughter's in about one another; an' to advise you both, if you have
sinse, to get them married afore worse happen. It's your business more
nor mine."

"You're right," said the Bodagh, aside to his wife; "he's sartinly
deranged. Fardorougha," he added, "have you lost any money lately?"

"I'm losin' every day," said the other; "I'm broke assistin' them that
won't thank me, let alone paying me as they ought."

"Then you have lost nothing more than usual?"

"If I didn't, I tell you there's a good chance of losin' it before
me;--can a man call any money of his safe that's in another man's
pocket?"

"An' so you've come to propose a marriage between your son and m