. I drew near the window in silence, and
looked in. Before the large turf-fire were seated three persons; two
of them, who sat in the shining light, I at once recognised as the
servants; but the third was concealed in the shadow of the chimney, and
I could only trace the outline of his figure against the blaze. I was
not long, however, in doubt as to his identity.

'Seemingly, then, you're a great traveller,' said Patsey, the priest's
man, addressing the unknown.

A long whiff of smoke, patiently emitted, and a polite wave of the hand
in assent was the reply.

'And how far did you come to-day, av I might be so bould?' said Mary.

'From the cross of Kiltermon, beyond Gurtmore, my darlin'; and sure
it is a real pleasure and a delight to come so far to see as pretty a
crayture as yourself.' Here Patsey looked a little put out, and Mary
gave a half smile of encouragement. 'For,' continued the other, breaking
into a song--

'Though I love a fox in a cover to find,
When the clouds is low, with a sou'west wind,
Faix, a pretty girl is more to my mind
Than the tally-high-ho of a morning.'

I need scarcely say that the finale of this rude verse was given in a
way that only Tipperary Joe could accomplish, as he continued--

'And just show me one with an instep high,
A saucy look, and a roguish eye,
Who 'd smile ten times for once she 'd sigh,
And I'm her slave till morning.'

'And that's yoursel', devil a less--ye ho, ye ho, tally-ho! I hope the
family isn't in bed?'

'Troth, seemingly,' said Patsey, in a tone of evident pique, 'it would
distress you little av they were; you seem mighty well accustomed to
making yourself at home.'

'And why wouldn't the young man?' said Mary, apparently well pleased
to encourage a little jealousy on the part of her lover, 'and no harm
neither. And ye do be always with the hounds, sir?'

'Yes, miss, that's what I be doing. But I wonder what's keeping the
Captain; I've a letter here for him that I know ought to have no delay.
I run all the way for fourteen miles over Mey'nacurraghew mountain to be
here quick with him.'

I opened the door as I heard this, and entered the kitchen.

'Hurroo! by the mortial,' cried Joe, with one of his wild shouts, 'it 's
himself! Arrah, darlin', how is every bit in your skin?'

'Well, Joe, my poor fellow, I am delighted to see you safe and sound
once more. Many a day have I reproached myself for the way you suf