“Did you not swear to me that you would not injure her?  And why should there have been any talk with you and me about her, but that I saw what was coming?  When a young man like you chooses to spend his hours day after day and week after week with such a one as she is, with a beautiful young girl, a sweet innocent young lady, so sweet as to make even an ould priest like me feel that the very atmosphere she breathes is perfumed and hallowed, must it not mean one of two things;—­that he desires to make her his wife or else,—­or else something so vile that I will not name it in connection with Kate O’Hara?  Then as her mother’s friend, and as hers,—­as their only friend near them, I spoke out plainly to you, and you swore to me that you intended no harm to her.”

“I would not harm her for the world.”

“When you said that, you told me as plainly as you could spake that she should be your wife.  With her own mouth she never told me.  Her mother has told me.  Daily Mrs. O’Hara has spoken to me of her hopes and fears.  By the Lord above me whom I worship, and by His Son in whom I rest all my hopes, I would not stand in your shoes if you intend to tell that woman that after all that has passed you mean to desert her child.”

“Who has talked of deserting?” asked Neville angrily.

“Say that you will be true to her, that you will make her your wife before God and man, and I will humbly ask your pardon.”

“All that I say is that this Captain O’Hara’s coming is a nuisance.”

“If that be all, there is an end of it.  It is a nuisance.  Not that I suppose he ever will come.  If he persists she must send him a little money.  There shall be no difficulty about that.  She will never ask you to supply the means of keeping her husband.”

“It isn’t the money.  I think you hardly understand my position, Father Marty.”  It seemed to Neville that if it was ever his intention to open out his scheme to the priest, now was his time for doing so.  They had come to the cross roads at which one way led down to the village and to Father Marty’s house, and the other to the spot on the beach where the boat would be waiting.  “I can’t very well go on to Liscannor,” said Neville.

“Give me your word before we part that you will keep your promise to Miss O’Hara,” said the priest.

“If you will step on a few yards with me I will tell you just how I am situated.”  Then the priest assented, and they both went on towards the beach, walking very slowly.  “If I alone were concerned, I would give up everything for Miss O’Hara.  I am willing to give up everything as regards myself.  I love her so dearly that she is more to me than all the honours and wealth that are to come to me when my uncle dies.”

“What is to hinder but that you should have the girl you love and your uncle’s honours and wealth into the bargain?”

“That is just it.”

“By the life of me I don’t see any difficulty.  You’re your own masther.  The ould Earl can’t disinherit you if he would.”