“Blessed Phelim!  Just like him!  Faith, he couldn’t be marrid in the common coorse!”

“Arrah, whisht till we hear the name o’ the happy crathur that’s to be blisthered with Phelim!  The darlin’s in luck, whoever she is, an’ has gained a blessed prize in the ‘Bouncer.’”

“This bouncing patriarch,” continued the priest, “has made his selection with great judgment and discrimination.  In the first place, he has pitched upon a hoary damsel of long standing in the world;—­one blessed with age and experience.  She is qualified to keep Phelim’s house well, as soon as it shall be built; but whether she will be able to keep Phelim himself, is another consideration.  It is not unlikely that Phelim, in imitation of his great prototypes, may prefer living in a tent.  But whether she keeps Phelim or the house, one thing is certain, that Phelim will keep her money.  Phelim selected this aged woman, we presume, for her judgment; for surely she who has given such convincing proof of discretion, must make a useful partner to one who, like Phelim, has that virtue yet to learn.  I have no doubt, however, but in a short time he will be as discreet as his teacher.”

“Blood alive!  Isn’t that fine language?”

“You may say that!  Begad, it’s himself can discoorse!  What’s the Protestants to that?”

“The next upon the list is one who, though a poor man’s daughter, will certainly bring property to Phelim.  There is also an aptness in this selection, which does credit to the ‘Patriarch.’  Phelim is a great dancer, an accomplishment with which we do not read that the patriarchs themselves were possessed:  although we certainly do read that a light heel was of little service to Jacob.  Well, Phelim carries a light heel, and the second female of his choice on this list carries a ‘light hand;’ (* Intimating theft) it is, therefore, but natural to suppose that, if ever they are driven to extremities, they will make light of many things which other people would consider as of weighty moment.  Whether Phelim and she may long remain stationary in this country, is a problem more likely to be solved at the county assizes than here.  It is not improbable that his Majesty may recommend the ‘Patriarch’ and one of his wives to try the benefit of a voyage to New South Wales, he himself graciously vouch-saving to bear their expenses.”

“Divil a lie in that, anyhow!  If ever any one crossed the wather, Phelim will.  Can’t his Reverence be funny whin he plases?”

“Many a time it was prophecized for him:  an’ his Reverence knows best.”

“Begad, Phelim’s gettin’ over the coals.  But sure it’s all the way the father an’ mother reared him.”

“Tunder-an’-trff, is he goin’ to be called to a pair o’ them?”

“Faix, so it seems.”

“Oh, the divil’s clip!  Is he mad?  But let us hear it out.”