s the gold for you! don't be stirring
your dresser."--"And where's your gown and cloak, Grace?" says I. But I
beg your pardon, sir; maybe I'm tiring you?'

Lord Colambre encouraged her to go on.

'"Where's your gown and cloak, Grace!" says I.--"Gone," says she. "The
cloak was too warm and heavy, and I don't doubt, mother, but it was that
helped to make me faint this morning. And as to the gown, sure I've a
very nice one here, that you spun for me yourself, mother; and that I
prize above all the gowns ever came out of a loom; and that Brian said
become me to his fancy above any gown ever he see me wear; and what
could I wish for more?" Now I'd a mind to scold her for going to sell
the gown unknown'st to me, but I don't know how it was, I couldn't scold
her just then, so kissed her, and Brian the same, and that was what no
man ever did before. And she had a mind to be angry with him, but could
not, nor ought not, says I; "for he's as good as your husband now,
Grace; and no man can part yees now," says I, putting their hands
together. Well, I never saw her look so pretty; nor there was not a
happier boy that minute on God's earth than my son, nor a happier mother
than myself; and I thanked God that had given them to me; and down they
both fell on their knees for my blessing, little worth as it was; and
my heart's blessing they had, and I laid my hands upon them. "It's the
priest you must get to do this for you to-morrow," says I. And Brian
just held up the ring, to show me all was ready on his part, but could
not speak. "Then there's no America any more!" said Grace low to me, and
her heart was on her lips; but the colour came and went, and I was a
FEARED she'd have swooned again, but not for sorrow so I carried her
off Well, if she was not my own--but she is not my own born so I may
say it--there never was a better girl, nor a more kind-hearted, nor
generous; never thinking anything she could do, or give, too much for
them she loved, and anything at all would do for herself; the sweetest
natured and tempered both, and always was, from this high; the bond that
held all together, and joy of the house.'

'Just like her namesake,' cried Lord Colambre.

'Plase your honour?'

'Is not it late?' said Lord Colambre, stretching himself and gaping;
'I've walked a great way to-day.'

The old woman lighted his rushlight, showed him to his red check bed,
and wished him a very good night; not without some slight sentiment of
disp