ith this
disgraceful proceeding? Here's a case as clearly prearranged as ever was
heard of."

"Impossible!" cried Mrs. Kennyfeck; "did n't he invite us only yesterday
to go down to Tubbermore by sea?"

"And didn't you yourself offer the only impediment?" said Miss
Kennyfeck.

"You are very cruel, aunt," sobbed Olivia.

"You'll drive me out of my senses," said Miss O'Hara; and certainly her
look did not belie her words. "I endeavor to rescue you from the snares
of a young debauchee, who, as you well know, has a wife still living--"

"There, I hope you are content now," said Mrs. Kennyfeck, as Olivia fell
fainting into her arms; and the window was thrown open, and all were
busied in employing the wonted restoratives for such attacks. Meanwhile,
hostilities were continued, but in a less rigorous fashion. "You know
you've ruined everything--you know well how your officious meddling has
destroyed this poor child's fortune; rub her temples, Cary."

"I know that he is a dissipated, abandoned wretch, that would desert her
to-morrow as he has done that unhappy--"

"Hush, she is coming to. You want to kill her."

"Humph!" muttered Aunt Fanny; "this scene might be very effective with
the young gentleman, but is quite thrown away upon me."

"Aunt, aunt!" cried Miss Kennyfeck, reprovingly.

"If we had just followed our own counsels, we should have this very hour
been on the way to Tubbermore, perhaps never to leave it!"

Aunt Fanny shook her head.

"Yes. You may affect to doubt and hesitate, and all that, but where
is the wonderful condescension in a Mr. Cashel proposing for the
grand-niece of Roger Miles O'Hara, of Kilmurray O'Hara of Mayo, the
second cousin of Lawrence O'Hara Kelly, that ought to be Lord Bally
Kelly?"

"Fairly enough, if that was all," slipped in Miss O'Hara, hoping to
escape from all danger by climbing up the genealogical tree whereon her
sister was perched.

"If that was all!" repeated Mrs. Kennyfeck, indignantly, catching at the
last words, "and what more is wanting, I 'd be glad to ask? But, to be
sure, it was rather a mistake to call to our counsels, in such a case,
one that never could succeed in her own."

This terrible taunt at Miss O'Hara's celibacy didn't go unpunished,
for, throwing all attempts at conciliation behind her, she rose, with
flashing eyes and trembling lips.

"So, it is you that tell me this," said she--"_you_ that dare to sneer
at _my_ being unmarried--you, that were f