mament, and the darkness seemed kindly to throw its dusky
mantle over this sweet and stolen interview of our young lovers. As
yet, however, Una had not come, nor could Connor, on surveying the large
massy farm--house of the Bodagh, perceive any appearance of light, or
hear a single sound, however faint, to break the stillness in which it
slept. Bartle, immediately after their arrival in the haggard, separated
from his companion, in order, he said, to give notice of interruption,
should Una be either watched or followed.

"Besides, you know," he added, "sweethearts like nobody to be present
but themselves, when they do be spakin' soft to one another. So I'll
just keep dodgin' about, from place to place wid my eye an' ear both
open, an' if any intherloper comes I'll give yees the hard word."

Heavily and lazily creep those moments during which an impatient
lover awaits the approach of his mistress; and woe betide the wooer of
impetuous temperament who is doomed, like our hero, to watch a whole
hour and a half in vain. Many a theory did his fancy body forth, and
many a conjecture did he form, as to the probable cause of her absence.
Was it possible that they watched her even in the dead hour of night?
Perhaps the grief she felt at her father's refusal to sanction the match
had brought on indisposition; and--oh, harrowing thought!--perhaps
they had succeeded in prevailing upon her to renounce him and his hopes
forever. But no; their affection was too pure and steadfast to admit of
a supposition so utterly unreasonable. What, then, could have prevented
her from keeping an appointment so essential to their future prospects,
and to the operations necessary for them to pursue? Some plan of
intercourse--some settled mode of communication must be concerted
between them; a fact as well known to herself as to him.

"Well, well," thought he, "whatever's the reason of her not coming, I'm
sure the fault is not hers; as it is, there's no use in waitin' this
night any longer."

Flanagan, it appeared, was of the same opinion, for in a minute or two
he made his appearance, and urged their return home. It was clear, he
said, that no interview could take place that night, and the sooner they
reached the barn and got to bed the better.

"Folly me," he added; "we can pass through the yard, cross the road
before the hall-door, and get over the stile, by the near way through
the fields that's behind the orchard."

Connor, who was by no me