her
refractory daughter to agree to the propriety of what she was going
to do with respect to Feemy, and to inform her husband of the visitor
she intended to ask to her house; she had not much difficulty with
either, for though Louey was indignant when Father John hinted at her
want of a beau, she was not really ill-natured, and when her mother
told her that Father John had said that this invitation would be the
performance of a Christian duty, she soon reconciled herself to the
prospect of Feemy's company, in spite of Mr. Gayner and his bed. And
as for Mr. McKeon, he seldom interfered with the internal management
of his house, and when his spouse informed him that Feemy was coming
to Drumsna, he merely remarked that "no wonder the poor girl was
dull at that old ramshackle place up there, and that though Drumsna
was dull enough itself, it was a little better than Ballycloran,
especially now the Carrick races were coming on;" and so the three
ladies put on their best bonnets and set off on their journey of
charity.

Feemy was in her own sitting-room, and was somewhat more neat in her
appearance than the last time we saw her there, for Ussher had said
he would call early in the morning; but she was employed in the same
manner as then--sitting over the fire with a novel in her hand, when
she heard the sound of the car wheels, and on going to the window,
saw Mrs. McKeon and her daughters.

That lady managed her business with all the tact and sincerity for
which Father John had given her credit; she made no particular
allusion to Ussher, but merely said that they should have a party
to the race-course, as Mr. McKeon had a horse to run, and that
afterwards they should all go to the ball at Carrick; and Mrs. McKeon
added, "You know, Feemy, you'll meet your old friend Captain Ussher
there."

She then assured Feemy how glad she would be if she would stay
a short time at Drumsna, after the races were over, as her two
daughters were now at home, and that if she would, she would try to
make the house as pleasant as possible for her.

This was all said and done so pleasantly, that Feemy did not detect
any other motive in her friend's civility than the one which
was apparent, and after a little pressing, agreed to accept the
invitation. It was agreed that Mrs. McKeon was to call for her on the
Monday following, when, if her father made no objection, she would
accompany her home to Drumsna.

As soon as they were gone, Feemy ma