shing, shooting,
and other rural sports with my brothers and my brothers-in-law, and
occasionally with the major. This sort of life, however, didn't suit my
taste, and I began to wish myself once more afloat.

Among the young ladies present at the ball given in honour of my return
was a Miss Kathleen O'Brien, to whom I observed my brother Maurice paid
the most devoted attention, and I guessed, as I afterwards discovered,
that he was over head and ears in love with her. It was not a matter of
surprise, considering that she was among the prettiest of the very
pretty girls present. As she was an only daughter, and heiress of a
very fine estate, my family were highly delighted at the prospect of his
winning her; and as he was supposed to be crowned with laurels, had a
couple of honourable wounds in his arms, and our family was equal to
hers, it was hoped that no impediment would be thrown in the way of
their marriage, provided the young lady would accept him. Young ladies
in those days in Ireland had a free will of their own, and Maurice
acknowledged that he was not certain what way he had made in her
affections. My mother and sisters, however, encouraged him, and,
considering that there was no young man like him in that part of the
country, assured him that he had no cause to fear. Thus it appeared to
me that the battle was half won, and I had no doubt, when he set out the
next morning, attired in his red military suit, to pay his respects at
Castle Blatherbrook, that he would return back an accepted lover. We
cheered him as he set forth.

"Good luck go with you," cried Denis. "We will welcome you as an
intended Benedict when you come back again. Kathleen's tender heart
will never stand that gay coat and clashing sword. Talk of your
laurels, Maurice, and tell her how beautiful she will look with a wreath
of orange-blossoms across that fair brow of hers."

Maurice, a good-natured fellow, took all our jokes in good humour, and,
waving his hand as he put spurs to his steed, galloped off; while Denis
and I went to amuse ourselves with our fishing-rods, in hopes of
obtaining some variety to our usual fare. On our return we found that
Maurice had not come back from his wooing. This was considered a good
sign, as it was hoped that he was detained at the castle as an accepted
suitor. Our own meal was over, and evening was approaching; still
Maurice did not appear. My mother and sisters were very positive that
he h