“Do you know her name?”

“No; I don’t think I ever heard it, or, if I did, I can’t at all remember it.  M’Bride mentioned the woman, but I don’t think he named her.”

“At all events,” replied Corbet, “it doesn’t signify.  I hope whatever steps they’re takin’ against that good ould nobleman will fail; and if I had the papers you speak of this minute, I’d put them into the fire.  In the mane time try and make out where your vagabone of a husband lives, or, rather, set Ginty to work, as she and you are living together, and no doubt she’ll soon ferret him out.”

“I can’t understand Ginty at all,” replied the woman.  “I think, although she has given up fortune tellin’, that her head’s not altogether right yet.  She talks of workin’ out some prophecy that she tould Sir Thomas Gourlay about himself and his daughter.”

“She may talk as much about that as she likes,” replied the old fellow.  “She called him plain Thomas Gourlay, didn’t she, and said he’d be stripped of his title?”

“So she told me; and that his daughter would be married to Lord Dunroe.”

“Ay, and so she tould myself; but there she’s in the dark.  The daughter will be Lady Dunroe, no doubt, for they’re goin’ to be married; but she’s takin’ a bad way to work out the prophecy against the father by —­hem—­”

“By what?”

“I’m not free to mention it, Kate; but this very day it’s to take place, and.  I suppose it’ll soon be known to everybody.”

“Well, but sure you might mention it to me.”

“I’ll make a bargain with you, then.  Set Ginty to work; let her find out your husband; get me the papers you spake of, and I’ll tell you all about it.”

“With all my heart, father.  I’m sure I don’t care if you had them this minute.  Let Ginty try her hand, and if she can succeed, well and good.”

“Well, Kate,” said her father, “I’m glad I seen you; but I think it was your duty to call upon me long before this.”

“I would, but that I was afraid you wouldn’t see me; and, besides, Ginty told me it was better not for some time.  She kept me back, or I would have come months ago.”

“Ay, ay; she has some devil’s scheme in view that’ll end in either nothing or something.  Good-by, now; get me these papers, and I’ll tell you what’ll be worth hearin’.”

Immediately after her departure Father M’Mahon entered, and found Corbet behind his counter as usual.  Each on looking at the other was much struck by his evident appearance for the worse; a circumstance, however, which caused no observation until after they had gone into the little back room.  Corbet’s countenance, in addition to a careworn look, and a consequent increase of emaciation, presented a very difficult study to the physiognomist, a study not unobserved! by the priest himself.  It was indicative of the conflicting resolutions which had for some time past been alternating in his mind; but so roguishly was each resolution