ntry to which you
are unhappily destined, you will have no friends--and no one living
feels this more acutely than Una; for, observe me, I am now speaking on
her behalf, and acting in her name. I am her agent. Now Una is richer
than you might imagine, being the possessor of a legacy left her by our
grandfather by my father's side. Of this legacy, she herself stands in
no need--but you may and will, when you reach a distant country. Now,
Connor, you see how that admirable creature loves you--you see how that
love would follow you to the uttermost ends of the earth. Will you, or
rather are you capable of being as generous as she is?--and can you show
her that you are as much above the absurd prejudice of the world, and
its cold forms, as he ought to be who is loved by a creature so truly
generous and delicate as Una? You know how very poorly she is at present
in health; and I tell you candidly, that your declining to accept this
as a gift and memorial by which to remember her, may be attended with
very serious consequences to her health."

Connor kept his eyes fixed upon the speaker, with a look of deep and
earnest attention; and as O'Brien detailed with singular address
and delicacy these striking proofs of Una's affection, her lover's
countenance became an index of the truth with which his heart
corresponded to the noble girl's tenderness and generosity. He seized
O'Brien's hand.

"John," said he, "you are worthy of bein' Una's brother, and I could say
nothing higher in your favor; but, in the mane time, you and she both
know that I want nothing to enable me to remember her by. This is a
proof, I grant you, that she loves me truly; but I knew that as well
before, as I do now. In this business I cannot comply with her wish an'
yours, an' you musn't press me. You, I say, musn't press me. Through my
whole life I have never lost my own good opinion; but if I did what you
want me now to do, I couldn't respect myself--I would feel lowered in
my own mind. In short, I'd feel unhappy, an' that I was too mane to
be worthy of your sister. Once for all, then, I cannot comply in this
business with your wish an' hers."

"But the anxiety produced by your refusal may have very dangerous
effects on her health."

"Then you must contrive somehow to consale my refusal from her till
she gets recovered. I couldn't do what you want me; an' if you press me
further upon it, I'll think you don't respect me as much as I'd wish
her brother to