thout an affectionate word--and now, on the eve of his
departure, he stood at the fire and merely answered her questions
coldly and harshly. At length she felt that this must be the time,
if ever, for saying to him what she had made up her mind to say on
the previous evening, when her courage failed her. So, plucking up
all the heart she could, and blushing at the time to the top of her
forehead, she said,

"An't I to go with you, Myles, when you go?"

Ussher still remained silent; he did not know how to answer to this
question. "Come, Myles, speak to me. I know you came down to tell me
your plans. What am I to do? You know you must settle now, if you're
going so soon. What are your plans?"

"Why, Feemy, it's not two hours or more since I've received the
letter; of course I couldn't think of everything at once. Tell me;
what do you think best yourself?"

"Me! what do I think?--you know I'd do anything you bid me. Won't you
step in and tell father about it?"

"Oh, you can tell him. I couldn't make him understand it at all, he's
so foolish."

Feemy bore the slur on her father without indignation.

"But, Myles, if you go so soon, am I to go with you?" and when after
a few minutes he did not answer,--"Speak, Myles, an't we to be
married before you go?" When she said this, she sat down on the old
sofa, looking up into his face, as if she would read there what was
passing in his mind. That which was passing in his mind must be the
arbitrament of her fate.

"Why, Feemy, how can you be so foolish?--How can we be married in
eight days' time? I must go, I tell you, in eight days from this."

"But you won't go to this new place then. You'll be back here, won't
you, before you go to Cashel?"

"How can I be back again?--No, I could not be back again then;
besides, Feemy, I wouldn't be married in this place after what your
brother and Father John said to me last night. If we are to be
married at all, it can't be here."

"If we are to be married!" exclaimed Feemy, rising up--"if we are!
Why, Myles, what do you mean?" and rushing to him she threw her arms
round his neck, and hiding her face on his bosom, she continued,
"Oh, Myles! you don't mean to desert me! Myles--dear Myles--my own
Myles--don't you love me?--you won't leave me now--say you won't
leave me!" and she sobbed and cried as though her heart was breaking.

Ussher put his arm round her waist and kissed her; he seated her on
the sofa--sat down by her--and trie