Felix’s eye flashed, and, for the first time in his life, he turned a fierce glance upon his brother.

“She’s no hussy, Hugh; and if another man said it——­” he paused, for it was but the ‘hectic of a moment.’

“You’d knock him down, I suppose,” said Hugh.  “Why don’t you speak it out?  Why, Maura, he’s a man on our hands, and I suppose he’ll be a bully to-morrow, or next day, and put us all under his feet, and make us all knuckle down to his poppet of a wife.”

“Hugh,” said Felix, “I am willin to forget and forgive all the harshness ever you showed me, and to remimber nothing but your kindness, and you wor kind, to me; you’re my brother—­my only, and my eldest brother, and I beg it as a favor to one that loves you both, that you’ll not interfere in my marriage this day.”

“So far only,” replied Hugh, “that I’ll stop it for good an’ all.  You’ll get no clothes out of this press to-day.  In ten years or so you may be thinkin’ of it.  There’s Madge M’Gawley, take her, with all my heart; a girl that has fifty pounds, five cows, and threescore sheep:  ay, an’ a staid sober girl.  To be sure she’s no beauty, an’ not fit for ‘gintlemen’ that must have purty faces, and empty pockets.  I say again, Felix, I’ll put an end to this match.”

This was too much for Felix’s patience.  After several unsuccessful remonstrances, and even supplications very humbly expressed, a fierce struggle ensued between the brothers which was only terminated by the interference of the two servant-men, who with some difficulty forced the elder out of the house, and brought him across the fields towards his own home.  Maura then gave up the key, and the youthful bridegroom was soon dressed and prepared to meet his “man,” and a few friends whom he had invited, at the chapel.  His mind, however, was disturbed, and his heart sank at this ill-omened commencement of his wedding day.

“Maura,” said he, when about to leave the house, “I’m heavy at heart for what has happened.  Will you say that you forgive me, dear, before I go? and tell Hugh that I forgive him everything, and that the last words I said before I went, wor—­’that the blessin’ of God may rest upon him and his,’ and upon you too, Maura, dear.”

These expressions are customary among Irish families when a marriage is about to take place; but upon this occasion they came spontaneously from a generous and feeling heart.  Felix saw with sorrow that his brother and sister had not blessed him, and he resolved that his part of a duty so tender should not remain unperformed.

Maura, who suddenly averted her face when he addressed her, made no reply; but after he had departed from the threshold, her eyes followed him, and the tears slowly forced their way down her cheeks.

“It’s no use,” said she, “it’s no use, I love him, I love my kind brother in spite of every thing.  May God bless you Felix! may God bless you, and all you love!  God forgive me for opposin’ the boy as I did; and God forgive Hugh! but he thinks it would be all for Felix’s good to stop his marriage with Alley Bawn.”