her own room.

Every part had been examined, except the small sleeping-room of Kathleen;
and the party paused before the door. "We must search," observed O'Toole
doggedly.

"Search my daughter's! very well, search if you please; it's a fine story
you'll have to tell, how six great men pulled a poor girl out of her bed
to look for a tithe proctor. It will be a credit to you anyhow; and you,
Corny O'Toole, you'll stand well in her good graces, when you come to
talk about the wedding day; and your wife that is to be, pulled out of
her bed by a dozen men. What will ye say to Kathleen, when you affront
her by supposing that a maiden girl has a tithe proctor in bed with her?
D'ye think that ye'll ever have the mother's consent or blessing?"

"No one goes into Kathleen's room," cried Corny O'Toole, roused by the
sarcasms of Mrs M'Shane.

"Yes, Corny," replied Mrs M'Shane, "it's not for a woman like me to be
suspected, at all events; so you, and you only, shall go into the room,
if that will content ye, Mr Jerry O'Toole."

"Yes!" replied the party, and Mrs M'Shane opened the door.

Kathleen rose up on her elbow, holding the bed clothes up to her throat,
and looking at them, as they entered, said, "O Corny! Corny! this to me?"

Corny never thought of looking for anybody, his eyes were rivetted upon
his sweetheart. "Murder, Kathleen, is it my fault? Jerry will have it."

"Are you satisfied, Corny?" said Mrs M'Shane.

"Sure enough I was satisfied before I came in, that Kathleen would not
have any one in her bedroom," replied Corny.

"Then good-night, Corny, and it's to-morrow that I'll talk with ye,"
replied Kathleen.

Mrs M'Shane then walked out of the room, expecting Corny to follow; but
he could not restrain himself, and he came to the bedside. Fearful that
if he put his arms round her, he would feel me, Kathleen raised herself,
and allowed him to embrace her. Fortunately the light was not in the
room, or I should have been discovered, as in so doing she threw the
clothes off my head and shoulders. She then pushed back Corny from her,
and he left the room, shutting the door after him. The party descended
the ladder, and as soon as Kathleen perceived that they were all down,
she sprang out of bed and ran into her mother's room. Soon after I heard
them depart. Mrs M'Shane made fast the door, and came up stairs. She
first went to her own room, where poor Kathleen was crying bitterly from
shame and excitement. I had go