in me way, by the ould inimy himself?"

"I, Annorah? What does he know of me?"

"Nothing at all, savin' that ye are a saint, and he an ould--"

"Stop, stop, Annorah. We must not speak evil of any one. I hope that
you were civil in your reply."

"Civil! indade I was. I said, 'Ye should teach your flock better than
to tempt honest people.' 'It's gettin' impudent ye are,' says he;
'ye'll be turnin' heretic next. You must be seen to and taken care
of,' says he. 'Bad luck to ye!' says I; 'when ye sees me two eyes
light me to confession again, ye may take care o' me and welcome.'"

"And shall you not go again?"

"Never again." Annorah saw the shadow raise its hand threateningly.
"No, indade. Where's the use o' telling all ye know to an ould
creature like him? Doesn't the blessed Book say that no man can come
to the Father but only through Jesus Christ? An' shure, the great
Father in heaven is angered to see me kneel down before that biggest
o' scamps, when I should be praying to himself. I'll do it no more."

"I am glad to hear you say so, Annorah; I do so hope," said Annie, as
the affectionate tears stole down her thin cheek, "that you are
beginning to learn in the school of Christ. But, my poor girl, you
will meet much opposition. I am afraid that your family will join with
the priest in opposing you."

"Let them. I'll fight them all with pleasure--more especially the
praste."

"But fighting is not the way to make them think well of the religion
of Jesus. He was mild and gentle, patient under abuse and persecution;
and he must be your pattern, if you desire to please God. You must
pray to him, Annorah, for a new heart, so that none of these angry
feelings will trouble you."

"Is it the new heart, miss, that makes you so sweet and patient?"

"If I have any goodness, Annorah, it is because God has changed my old
heart, and made it better. It is his grace that enables me to suffer
without complaining; and it is his love, which I feel in my heart,
that makes me calm and happy in my greatest pain."

"Then I am sure," said the girl earnestly, forgetting for a moment
that she was overheard. "I will never rest a day at all, till I get
that same done for me. But mayhap he will not be so willing to look
upon me."

"In his holy Book we read that he is no respecter of persons, and that
whosoever cometh unto him he will in no wise cast out."

"Why, then, I can coom as soon as the grandest. _How_ shall I coom?"

"I wi