Flanagan was the first up the next morning, for the purpose of keeping an appointment which he had with Biddy Neil, whom we have already introduced to the reader.  On being taxed with meanness by this weak but honest creature, for having sought service with the man who had ruined his family, he promised to acquaint her with the true motive which had induced him to enter into Fardorougha’s employment.  Their conversation on this point, however, was merely a love scene, in which Bartle satisfied the credulous girl, that to an attachment for herself of some months’ standing, might be ascribed his humiliation in becoming a servant to the oppressor and destroyer of his house.  He then passed from themselves and their prospects to Connor and Una O’Brien, with whose attachment for each other, as the reader knows, he was first made acquainted by his fellow-servant.

“It’s terrible, Biddy,” said he, “to think of the black and revengeful heart that Connor bears to Bodagh Buie and his family merely bekase they rufuse to let him marry Una.  I’m 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.”