that nothing could be done
by this means, if his sister and the property _must_ go from him, he
would compromise the matter with the bridegroom, he would meet him half
way, and, raising what money he could on his share of the estate, give
leg bail to his creditors, and go to some place abroad, where tidings
of Dunmore would never reach him. What did it matter what people said?
he should never hear it. He would make over the whole property to
Kelly, on getting a good life income out of it. Martin was a prudent
fellow, and would jump at such a plan. As he thought of this, he
even began to wish that it was done; he pictured to himself the easy
pleasures, the card-tables, the billiard-rooms, and cafes of some
Calais or Boulogne; pleasures which he had never known, but which had
been so glowingly described to him; and he got almost cheerful again as
he felt that, in any way, there might be bright days yet in store for
him.

He would, however, still make the last effort for the whole stake. It
would be time enough to give in, and make the best of a _pis aller_
[14], when he was forced to do so. If beaten, he would make use of
Martin Kelly; but he would first try if he couldn't prove him to be a
swindling adventurer, and his sister to be an idiot.

[FOOTNOTE 14: pis aller--(French) last resort]

Much satisfied at having come to this salutary resolution, he took up
his hat, and set out for the widow's, in order to put into operation
the first part of the scheme. He rather wished it over, as he knew that
Mrs Kelly was no coward, and had a strong tongue in her head. However,
it must be done, and the sooner the better. He first of all looked
at himself in his glass, to see that his appearance was sufficiently
haughty and indignant, and, as he flattered himself, like that of a
gentleman singularly out of his element in such a village as Dunmore;
and then, having ordered his dinner to be ready on his return, he
proceeded on his voyage for the recovery of his dear sister.

Entering the shop, he communicated his wishes to Meg, in the manner
before described; and, while she was gone on her errand, he remained
alone there, lashing his boot, in the most approved, but, still, in a
very common-place manner.

"Oh, mother!" said Meg, rushing into the room where her mother, and
Jane, and Anty, were at dinner, "there's Barry Lynch down in the shop,
wanting you."

"Oh my!" said Jane. "Now sit still, Anty dear, and he can't come near