“This is what he calls his father, you must know.

“’Jemmy, the gentleman, has promised to stand to me some of these days, and pay off all my transgressions, like a good, kind-hearted, soft-headed old Trojan as he is; and, for this reason, I don’t wish to press him now.  The mare is sold under peculiar circumstances; otherwise I could have no chance of her at such a price.  By the way, when did you see Katsey’—­

“Ay, Katsey!—­think of that, now—­doesn’t he respect your daughter very much, father?

“‘By the way, when did you see Katsey Cavanagh?—­’”

“What is this you’re readin’ to me?” asked her father.  “You don’t mean to say that this letter is to Kathleen?”

“Why, no; but so much the better—­one has an opportunity now of seein’ what he is made of.  The letter was intended for Bryan M’Mahon; but he sent it, by mistake, to Kathleen.  Listen—–­

“’When did you see Katsey Cavanagh?  She certainly is not ill-looking, and will originate you famous mountaineers.  Do, like a good fellow, stand by me at this pinch, and I will drink your health and Kat-sey’s, and that you may—­’ (what’s this?) ’col—­colonize Ahadarra with a race of young Colossusses that the world will wonder at.

“’Ever thine,

“‘H.  Burke.’

“Here’s more, though:  listen, mother, to your favorite, that you want to marry Kathleen to:—­

“’P.S.  I will clear scores with you for all in the course of a few months, and remember that, at your marriage, I must, with my own hand, give you away to Katsey, the fair Oolossa.’”

The perusal of this document, at least so far as they could understand it, astonished them not a little.  Until they heard it read, both had been of the opinion that Hycy had actually proposed for Kathleen, or at least felt exceedingly anxious for the match.

“An’ does he talk about givin’ her away to Bryan M’Mahon?” asked her mother.  Sorrow on his impidence!—­Bryan M’Mahon indeed!  Throth, it’s not upon his country side of wild mountain that Kathleen will go to live.  An’ maybe, too, she has little loss in the same Hycy, for, afther all, he’s but a skite of a fellow, an’ a profligate into the bargain.”

“Paix an’ his father,” said Gerald—­“honest Jemmy—­tould me that he’d have it a match whether or not.”

“His father did!” exclaimed Mrs. Cavanagh; “now, did he say so, Gerald?”

“Well, in troth he did—­said that he had I set his heart upon it, an’ that if she hadn’t a gown to her back he’d make him marry her.”

“The Lord direct us for the best!” exclaimed his wife, whose opinion of the matter at this last piece of information had again changed in favor of Hycy.  “Sure, afther all, one oughtn’t to be too sevare on so young a man.  However, as the sayin’ is, ‘time will tell,’ an’ Kathleen’s own good sense will show her what a match he’d be.”

The sisters then retired to bed; but before they went, Kathleen approached her mother, and putting an open palm affectionately upon each of the good woman’s cheeks, said, in a voice in which there was deep feeling and affection:—­