“I’m obliged to you, Masther,” replied M’Mahon, who had not heard, or rather paid attention to, a single syllable he had uttered.  “Of course it’s thruth you’re savin’—–­it is—­it is, fureer gair it is; and she that’s gone from me is a proof of it.  What wondher then that I should shed tears, and feel as I do?”

The unconscious simplicity of this reply to such a singular argument for consolation as the schoolmaster had advanced, caused many to smile, some to laugh outright, and others to sympathize still more deeply with M’Mahon’s sorrow.  Finigan’s allusion to Hycy and his companion was justified by the contrast which the appearance of each presented.  Hycy, who enjoyed his lecture on the tribulations of matrimonial life very much, laughed as he advanced in it, whilst Clinton, who was really absorbed in a contemplation of the profound and solemn spirit which marked the character of the grief he witnessed, and who felt impressed besides by the touching emblems of death and bereavement which surrounded him, gradually gave way to the impressions that gained on him, until he almost felt the tears in his eyes.

At this moment Kathleen and her sister Hanna entered the house, and a general stir took place among those who were present, which was caused by her strikingly noble figure and extraordinary beauty—­a beauty which, on the occasion in question, assumed a peculiarly dignified and majestic character from the deep and earnest sympathy with the surrounding sorrow that was impressed on it.

Hycy and his companion surveyed her for many minutes; and the former began to think that after all, if Miss Clinton should fail him, Kathleen would make an admirable and most lovely wife.  Her father soon after she entered came over, and taking her hand said, “Come with me, Kathleen, till you shake hands wid a great friend of yours—­wid Misther Burke.  This is herself, Misther Burke,” he added, significantly, on putting her hand into that of honest Jemmy, “an’ I think no father need be ashamed of her.”

“Nor no father-in-law,” replied Jemmy, shaking her cordially by the hand, “and whisper, darlin’,” said he, putting his mouth close to her ear, and speaking so as that he might not be heard by others, “I hope to see you my daughter-in-law yet, if I could only get that boy beyant to make himself worthy of you.”

On speaking he turned his eyes on Hycy, who raised himself up, and assuming his best looks intimated his consciousness of being the object of his father’s allusion to him.  He then stepped over to where she stood, and extending his hand with an air of gallantry and good humor said, “I hope Miss Cavanagh, who has so far honored our worthy father, won’t refuse to honor the son.”

Kathleen, who had blushed at his father’s words, now blushed more deeply still; because in this instance, there was added to the blush of modesty that of offended pride at his unseasonable presumption.