afeard, Biddy darlin', that there'll
be dark work about it on Connor's side; an' if you hear of anything bad
happenin' to the Bodagh, you'll know where it comes from."

"I don't b'lieve it, Bartle, nor I won't b'lieve it--not, any way, till
I hear that it happens. But what is it he intends to do to them?"

"That's more than I know myself," replied Bartle; "I axed as much, an'
he said till it was done nobody would be the wiser."

"That's quare," said the girl, "for a better heart than Connor has, the
Saver o' the world never made."

"You think so, agra, but wait; do you watch, and you'll find that he
don't come in to-night. I know nothin' myself of what he's about, for
he's as close as his father's purse, an' as deep as a draw--well; but
this I know, that he has black business on his hands, whatever it is. I
trimble to think of it!"

Flanagan then got tender, and, after pressing his suit with all the
eloquence he was master of, they separated, he to his labor in the
fields, and she to her domestic employment, and the unusual task of
watching the motions of her master's son.

Flanagan, in the course of the day, suggested to Connor the convenience
of sleeping that night also in the barn. The time of meeting, he said
was too late, and his father's family, who were early in their hours,
both night and morning, would be asleep even before they set out. He
also added, that lest any of the O'Briens or their retainers should
surprise him and Una, he had made up his mind to accompany him, and act
as a vidette during their interview.

Connor felt this devotion of Bartle to his dearest interests, as every
grateful and generous heart would.

"Bartle," said he, "when we are married, if it's ever in my power to
make you aisy in life, may I never prosper if I don't do it! At all
events, in some way I'll reward you."

"If you're ever able, Connor, I'll have no objection to be behoulden to
you; that is, if you're ever able, as you say."

"And if there's a just God in heaven, Bartle, who sees my heart, however
things may go against me for a time, I say I will be able to sarve
you, or any other friend that desarves it. But about sleepin' in
to-night--coorse I wouldn't be knockin' up my father, and disturbin' my
poor mother for no rason; so, of coorse, as I said, I'll sleep in the
barn; it makes no difference one way or other."

"Connor," said Flanagan, with much solemnity, "if Bodagh Buie's wise,
he'll marry you and his daugh