“As for my part,” said he, “it has opened my eyes to one thing that I won’t forget:—­a single word of politics I shall never suffer to be preached from the altar while I live; neither shall I allow denouncements for political offences.  The altar, as the bishop told me—­and a hard rap he gave Mr. M’Pepper across the knuckles for Bryan’s affair—­’the altar,’ said he, ’isn’t the place for politics, but for religion; an’ I hope I may never hear of its being desecrated with politics again,’ said his lordship, an’ neither I will, I assure you.”

The intelligence of the unexpected change that had taken place in favor of the M’Mahon’s, did not reach them on that day, which was the same, as we have stated, on which their grandfather departed this life.  The relief felt by Thomas M’Mahon and his family at this old man’s death, took nothing from the sorrow which weighed them down so heavily in consequence of their separation from the abode of their forefathers and the place of their birth.  They knew, or at least they took it for granted that their grandfather would never have borne the long voyage across the Atlantic, a circumstance which distressed them very much.  His death, however, exhibiting, as it did, the undying attachment to home which nothing else could extinguish, only kindled the same affection more strongly and tenderly in their hearts.  The account of it had gone abroad through the neighborhood, and with it the intelligence that the auction would be postponed until that day week.  And now that he was gone, all their hearts turned with sorrow and sympathy to the deep and almost agonizing’ struggles which their coming departure caused their father to contend with.  Bryan whose calm but manly firmness sustained them all, absolutely feared that his courage would fail him, or that his very health would break down.  He also felt for his heroic little sister, Dora, who, although too resolute to complain or urge her own sufferings, did not endure the less on that account.

“My dear Dora,” said he, after their grandfather had been laid out, “I know what you are suffering, but what can I do?  This split between the Cavanaghs and us has put it out of my power to serve you as I had intended.  It was my wish to see you and James Cavanagh married; but God knows I pity you from my heart; for, my dear Dora, there’s no use in denyin’ it, I understand too well what you feel.”

“Don’t fret for me, Bryan,” she replied; “I’m willin’ to bear my share of the affliction that has come upon the family, rather than do anything mane or unworthy.  I know it goes hard with me to give up James and lave him for ever; but then I see that it must be done, and that I must submit to it.  May God strengthen and enable me! and that’s my earnest prayer.  I also often prayed that you an’ Kathleen might be reconciled; but I wasn’t heard, it seems.  I sometimes think that you ought to go to her; but then on second thoughts I can hardly advise you to do so.”