too much for him if
communicated without due and proper caution."

She accordingly went down to the hall, where they were hanging up their
great coats and hats, and brought them into her husband's study.

"Mr. Folliard," said she with a cheerful face, "I think, from some
symptoms of improvement noticed to-day in Helen, that we needn't be
without hope."

"Alas, alas!" exclaimed the poor father, "I have no hope; after such
a length of time I am indeed without a shadow of expectation. If
unfortunate Reilly were here, indeed her seeing him, as that Sligo
doctor told me, might give her a chance. He saw her about a week before
we came down, and those were his words. But as for Reilly, even if he
were in the country, how could I look him in the face? What wouldn't I
give now that he were here, that Helen was well, and that one word of
mine could make them man and wife?"

"Well, well," she replied, "don't be cast down; perhaps I could tell you
good news if I wished."

"You're beating about the bush, Mary, at all events," said her husband,
laughing.

"Perhaps, now, Mr. Folliard," she continued, "I could introduce a young
lady who is so fond of you, old and ugly as you are, that she would not
hesitate to kiss you tenderly, and cry with delight on your bosom you
old thief."

They both started at her words with amazement, and her husband said:
"Egad, Alick, Helen's malady seems catching. What the deuce do you mean,
Molly? or must I, too, send for a doctor?"

"Shall I introduce you to the lady, though?" she proceeded, addressing
the father; "but remember that, if I do, you must be a man, Mr.
Folliard!"

"In God's name! do what you like," said Mr. Hamilton, "but do it at
once."

She went upstairs, and said, "As I do not wish to bring your father up,
Helen, until he is prepared for a meeting with Mr. Reilly, I will bring
you down to him. The sight of you now will give him new life."

"Oh, come, then," said Helen, "bring me to my father; do not lose a
moment, not a moment--oh, let me see him instantly!"

The poor old man suspected something. "For a thousand!" said he, "this
is some good news about Helen!"

"Make your mind up for that," replied his mend; "as sure as you live it
is; and if it be, bear it stoutly."

In the course of a few minutes Mrs. Hamilton entered the room with
Helen, now awakened to perfect reason, smiling, and leaning upon her
arm. "Oh, dear papa!" she exclaimed, meeting him, with a flood of tear