hady, and who do you think there was at Hewson's, but Keegan,
your friend, you know? and a very pleasant fellow he is in his way:
but how he does abuse you Catholics!"

"Well, Captain, and it's little good you'll hear any of us say of
him, so that's all fair," said Father John.

"Take it that way, so it is; but I thought I heard some of you at
Ballycloran say he was once a Catholic," said Ussher turning to
Thady; "your father was telling me so I think."

He seemed determined to make Thady say something, but he only
muttered an affirmative.

"Whoever said so, said wrong," began Father Cullen, rising up and
putting his hands on the table, as if he was going to make a speech,
"Whoever said so, said wrong. His father was a Catholic, and his
mother was a Catholic, but he never was a Catholic; and how could he,
for he never was a Christian,"--and as he sat down he turned round
his large obtruding eyes for approval.

"Oh, if you go on that high ground, you'll lose half your flock. We
are glad to get them whether they are Christians or not, so long as
they are good Protestants; so you see Keegan's good enough for us;
and what could he do, poor fellow? if you wouldn't have him, he must
come to us."

"Oh then, Father John, he's satisfied to say men become Protestants
when they are no longer fit to be Catholics; was that the way
yourself become a Protestant, Captain Ussher?"

"If I'm to be d----d for that, you know, it's my father's and
mother's fault. I ain't like Keegan. I didn't choose the bad road
myself."

"Oh, but isn't it for yourself to choose the good road? didn't you
say you knew ours was the ould church as it stood always down from
Christ? If you do go wrong, you don't do it from ignorance, but you
do it wilfully, and your sowl will howl in hell for it."

Captain Ussher only burst out laughing at this little outbreak, but
Father John exclaimed, "Whist! whist! Cullen, none of that here: if
you can take any steps towards sending Captain Ussher to heaven,
well and good; but don't be sending him the other way while the poor
fellow is over his punch."

"Never mind, Father John; I and Father Cullen are very good friends,
and I think he'll hear me read my recantation yet; but he can't do it
to-night, as here's my mare. I must go by Ballycloran, Thady; will
you walk as far as the avenue with me?"

"Thank you, Captain Ussher, I'll not be going out of this just yet."

"Ah, well; I see you're out with me for the ti