send you, like that worthy
archbishop, the aforesaid Nebuchadanezar, to live upon leeks for seven
years in the renowned kingdom of Wales, where the leeks may be seen to
this day! Presto!"

These words, pronounced with a grave face, in a loud, rapid, and
sonorous tone of voice, startled the good people of the house, who sat
mute and astonished at such an exordium from the worthy pastor: but no
sooner had he uttered Brian Buie's name, giving him, at the same time, a
fierce and authoritative look, than the latter started to his feet, and
stepped down in a kind of alarm towards the door. The priest immediately
placed his hand upon his shoulder in a mysterious manner, exclaiming--

"Don't be alarmed, Brian, I have taken the force of the anathema off
you; your power to sit or stand, or go where you please, is returned
again. I wanted your seat, and Denis desired, me to excommunicate you
out of it, which I did, and you accordingly left it without your own
knowledge, consent, or power; I transferred you to where you stand, and
you had no more strength to resist me than if you were an infant not
three hours in the world!"

"I ax God's pardon, an' your Reverence's," said Brian, in a tremor,
"if I have given offince. Now, bless my soul! what's this? As sure as I
stand before you, neighbors, I know neither act nor part of how I was
brought from the hob at all--neither act nor part! Did any of yez see me
lavin' it; or how did I come here--can you tell me?"

"Paddy," said one of his friends, "did you see him?"

"The sorra one o' me seen him," replied Paddy: "I was lookin' at his
Reverence, sthrivin' to know what he was sayin'."

"Pether, did you?" another inquired. "Me! I never seen a stim of him
till he was standin' alone on the flure! Sure, when he didn't see or
find himself goin', how could another see him?"

"Glory be to God!" exclaimed Mave; "one ought to think well what they
say, when they spake of the clargy, for they don't know what it may
bring down upon them, sooner or later!"

"Our Denis will be able to do that yet," said Susan to her elder sister.

"To be sure he will, girsha, as soon as he's ordained--every bit as well
as Father Finnerty," replied Mary.

The young enthusiast's countenance brightened as her sister spoke: her
dark eye became for a minute or two fixed upon vacancy, during which
it flashed several times; until, as the images of her brother's
future glory passed before her imagination; she became w