going away from her, as well as
from Ballycloran. Ussher still stood up by the fireplace, with the
same smile on his face. What he had told Feemy was all true; he had
unexpectedly received an official letter that morning from the Dublin
office, complimenting him on his services, informing him that he was
to be moved to a higher grade, and that on his promotion he was to
leave Mohill, and take charge of the men stationed at Cashel. All
this in itself was very agreeable; promotion and increased pay were
of course desirable; Mohill was by no means a residence which it
would cause such a man as Ussher much regret to leave; and though he
had made up his mind not to fear any injury from those among whom he
was situated, he could not but feel that he should be more assured of
safety at any other place than that at which he now resided. All this
was so far gratifying, but still he was perplexed to think what he
should do about Feemy. It was true he could leave her, and let her,
if she chose, break her heart; or he might promise to come back and
marry her, when he was settled, with the intention of taking no
further notice of her after he had left the place;--and so let her
break her heart that way. But he was too fond of her for this; he
could not decide what he would do; and when he came up to see her at
the present time, the only conclusion to which he could bring himself
with certainty was this--that nothing should induce him to marry her;
but still he did not like to leave her.

He was, however, rather perplexed to know what to say to her, and
therefore preferred waiting to see what turn she herself would give
to the conversation. At length Feemy said,

"And when do you leave this?"

"Oh! they've given me a month's leave of absence. I'm to be in Cashel
in a month."

Even this seemed a reprieve to Feemy, who at first thought that he
would have to start immediately,--perhaps that evening, a good deal
might be done in a month; now, however, she regretted that she had
promised to go to Mrs. M'Keon's.

"Then, Myles, you'll not leave this for a month?"

"I don't know about that; that depends on circumstances. I've to run
up to Dublin, and a deal to do."

"But when do you mean to be out of this?"

"Why, I tell you, I haven't settled yet--perhaps immediately after
the races."

Again they were silent for some time; Feemy longed for Ussher to say
something that might sound at any rate kind; he had never met her
before wi