ould like the
trip, just by way of a little change. `Couldn't he do without you?'
replied she, gravely. `I'm afraid not; and although I thought I was in
barracks for life, and never to leave you again, yet still for his sake,
poor fellow, who has been such a generous fellow to me--' `An' how long
would you be away?' said she. `Why, it might be two months at the
most,' replied I; `but who can tell it to a day?' `Well,' said she, `I
don't like that part of the concern at all; but still, if it is
necessary, as you say, things shouldn't be done by halves,' and then she
sighed, poor soul. `Then I won't go,' says I. `Yes,' says she, after a
pause; `I think it's your duty, and therefore you must.' `I'll do just
what you wish, my soul,' replied I; `but let's talk more about it
to-morrow.' This morning she brought up the subject, and said that she
had made up her mind, and that it should be as we had said last night;
and she went to the drawer and took out three hundred pounds in gold and
notes, and said that if it was not enough, we had only to write for
more. Now ain't she a jewel, O'Donahue? and here's the money."

"McShane, she is a jewel, not because she has given me money, but
because her heart's in the right place, and always will be. But I
really do not like taking you away with me."

"Perhaps you don't think I'd be of any use?"

"Yes; I do not doubt but that you will be, although at present I do not
know how."

"But I do, for I've thought upon it, and I shall take it very unkind if
you don't let me go with you. I want a little divarsion; for you see,
O'Donahue, one must settle down to domestic happiness by degrees."

"Be it so, then; all I fear is, I shall occasion pain to your excellent
wife."

"She has plenty to do, and that drives care away; besides, only consider
the pleasure you'll occasion to her when I come back."

"I forgot that. Now, if you please, I'll call and pay my respects, and
also return my grateful thanks."

"Then, come along."

Captain O'Donahue found Mrs McShane very busily employed supplying her
customers. She was, as McShane had said, a very good-looking woman,
although somewhat corpulent: and there was an amiability, frankness, and
kindness of disposition so expressed in her countenance, that it was
impossible not to feel interested with her. They dined together.
O'Donahue completely established himself in her good graces, and it was
agreed that on that day week the gentlem