arriving at the gate
which led into Cavanagh's house, very fortunately saw his daughter
Kathleen, in the act of feeding the blackbird aforementioned; and
prudently deeming this the best opportunity of accomplishing his
mission, he beckoned her to approach him. The good-natured girl did so:
saying at the same time--"What is the matter, Peety?--do you want me?
Won't you come into the kitchen?"

"Thank you, avourneen, but I can't; I did want you, but it was only to
give you this letther. I suppose it will tell you all. Oh, thin, is it
any wondher that you should get it, an' that half the parish should be
dyin' in love wid you? for, in troth, it's enough to make an ould man
feel young agin even to look at you. I was afraid they might see me
givin' you the letther from the windy, and that's what made me sign to
you to come to me here. Good-bye _a colleen dhas_ (* Pretty girl.)--an'
it's you that's that sure enough."

The features, neck, and bosom of the girl, on receiving this
communication, were overspread with one general blush, and she stood,
for a few moments, irresolute and confused. In the mean time Peety had
passed on, and after a pause of a few minutes, she looked at the letter
more attentively, and slowly broke it open. It was probably the first
epistle she had ever received, and we need scarcely say that, as a
natural consequence, she was by no means quick in deciphering written
hand. Be this as it may, after having perused a few lines she started,
looked at the bottom for the name, then at the letter again; and as her
sister Hanna joined her, that brow on which a frown had been seldom ever
seen to sit, was now crimson with indignation.

"Why, gracious goodness!" exclaims Hanna, "what is this, Kathleen?
Something has vexed you!--ha! a love-letter, too! In airnest, what ails
you? an' who is the letter from, if it's fair to ax?"

"The letter is not for me," replied Kathleen, putting it into her
sister's hand, "but when you read it you won't wonder that I'm angry."

As Hanna began to go slowly through it, she first laughed, but on
proceeding a little further her brow also reddened, and her whole
features expressed deep and unequivocal resentment. Having concluded the
perusal of this mysterious document, she, looked at her sister, who, in
return, gazed upon her.

"Well, Kathleen, after all," said Hanna, "it's not worth while losing
one's temper about it. Never think of it again; only to punish him, I'd
advise y