“I would be sorry to take any hope out of your heart that’s in it, Mary; but, still, I can’t forget that Val the Vulture’s his bitterest enemy—­and we all know what he’s capable of doing.  His son, too, graceful Phil, is still worse against him than the father, especially ever since Harman pulled his nose for what he said of Mary here.  Did I ever mention it to you?”

“No, sir,” replied Mary, coloring without exactly knowing why, “you never did.”

“I was present,” said young Brian, “but it wasn’t so much for what he said, for he got afraid, but the way he looked.”

“The scoundrel,” said James, indignantly, “well Brian—­”

“’Twas at the Ball Alley,” proceeded the young fellow, “in Castle Cumber; Mary was passing homewards, and Phil was speaking to long Tom Sharpe, father to one of the blood-hounds.  ‘That’s a purty girl,’ said Sharpe, ‘who is she?’ ‘Oh,’ says Phil, ’an acquaintance of mine—­but I can say no more honor bright,’ and he winked one of his squinting eyes as he spoke.  James Harman who was standing behind him stepped forward, ‘but I can say more,’ said he, ’she’s daughter to Brian M’Loughlin, and no acquaintance of yours—­and what is more, never will be; ay, and what is more,’ said James, ‘here’s a proof of it;’ and as he spoke he pulled Phil’s proboscis, and then wiped his fingers in his purty face.  ’Now, you cowardly scoundrel,’ he added, ’let that teach you not to speak of any respectable female in such a tone, or to claim an acquaintance where you have it not.’”

“Never mind, my good fellow,” said Phil, “I’ll make you smoke for this.”

“You know where I’m to be found,” said James, “and your remedy too; but you haven’t the spirit to take it like a man—­and so I leave you with the white feather in your cap.”

This anecdote for various reasons distressed Mary beyond relief.  It increased her detestation of young M’Clutchy to the highest possible pitch, and rendered the very thought of him doubly odious to her heart.  Her understanding became bewildered, and for a while she knew not what she said or did.  Taking a candle and attempting to conceal her agitation, she withdrew again to her own room, where she sat for nearly half an hour endeavoring to shape her tumultuous thoughts into something of clearness and order.

M’Loughlin’s brow, however, after her departure, still remained clouded.  “Misfortunes they say,” said he, “never come single; here is our lease out, and we will not get a renewal notwithstanding the fine we offered—­and to mend the matter some good friend has spread a report that the firm of M’Loughlin and Harman is unsafe.  Our creditors are coming down upon us fast—­but it’s the way of the world, every one striving to keep himself safe.  If these men were not set upon us by some coward in the dark there would be neither loss nor risk to them nor to us; but if they press on us out of the usual course, I fear we won’t be able to stand it.  Then poor Harman, too! heighonee!”