‘They must,’ said Albinia, ’you must come to meet your old friend and cousin,’ she added, mischievously glancing at Maurice, but he did not look inclined to disavow the relationship, and the youth was not a person whom any one would wish to keep at a distance.  He seemed about nineteen or twenty years of age, not tall, but well made, and with an air of great ease and agility, rather lounging and careless, yet alert in a moment.  The cast of his features at once betrayed his country, by the rounded temples, with the free wavy hair; the circular form of the eyebrow; the fully opened dark blue eye, looking almost black when shaded; the short nose, and the well-cut chin and lips, with their outlines of sweetness and of fun, all thoroughly Irish, but of the best style, and with a good deal of thought and mind on the brow, and determination in the mouth.  Albinia had scarcely a minute, however, for observation, for he seemed agitated, and in haste to take leave, nor did her brother press him to remain, since she was still looking very white and red, and too fragile for anything but rest.  With another squeeze of the hand she let him go, while he, with murmured thanks, and head bent in enthusiastic honour to the warm kindness of one so sweet and graceful, took leave.  Mr. Ferrars followed him into the hall, leaving the door open, so that she heard the words, ’Good-bye, Ulick; I’ll do my best for you.  All I can say is, that I respect you.’

‘Don’t respect me too soon,’ he answered; ’maybe you’ll have to change your mind.  The situation may like me no better than I the situation.’

‘No, what you will, you can do; I trust to your perseverance.’

’As my poor mother does!  Well, with patience the snail got to Rome, and if it is to lighten her load, I must bear it.  Many thanks, Mr. Ferrars.  Good morning.’

’Good morning; only, Ulick, excuse me, but let me give you a hint; if the situation is to like you, you must mind your Irish.’

‘Then you must not warm my heart with your kindness,’ was the answer.  ’No, no, never fear, when I’m not with any one who has seen Ballymakilty, I can speak English so that I could not be known for a Galway man.  Not that I’m ashamed of my country,’ he added; and the next moment the door shut behind him.

‘How could you scold him for his Irish?’ exclaimed Albinia, as her brother re-entered; ‘it sounds so pretty and characteristic.’

‘I fear Mr. Goldsmith may think it too characteristic!’

’I am sure Edmund might well call him prepossessing.  I hope Mr. Goldsmith is going to do something handsome for him!’

’Poor lad!  Mr. Goldsmith considers that he has purchased him for a permanent fixture on a high stool.  It is a sad disappointment, for he had been doing his utmost to prepare himself for college, and he has so far distinguished himself at school, that I see that a very little help would soon enable him to maintain himself at the University.  I could have found it in my heart to give it to him myself; it would please Winifred.’