uently important.

On approaching him, the Prophet now, with his usual coolness, pulled out
the tress which he had, in some manner, got from _Gra Gal_ Sullivan, and
holding it for a time, placed it in Dick's hands.

"There's one proof," said he, alluding to a previous part of their
conversation, "that I wasn't unsuccessful, and, indeed, I seldom am,
when I set about a thing in earnest."

"But is it possible," asked the other, "that she actually gave this
lovely tress willingly--you swear that?"

"As Heaven's above me," replied the Prophet, "there never was a ringlet
sent by woman to man with more love than she sent that. Why, the purty
creature actually shed tears, and begged of me to lose no time in givin'
it. You have it now, at all events--an' only for young Dalton's outrage,
you'd have had it before now."

"Then there's no truth in the report that she's fond of him?"

"Why--ahem--n--no--oh, no--not now--fond of him she was, no doubt; an'
you know it's never hard to light a half-burned turf, or a candle
that was lit before. If they could be got out of the counthry, at all
events--these Daltons--it would be so much out of your way, for between,
you an' me, I can tell you that your life won't be safe when he comes to
know that you have put his nose out of joint with the _Gra Gal_."

"It is strange, however, that she should change so soon!"

"Ah, Master Richard! how little you know of woman, when you say so.
They're a vain, uncertain, selfish crew--women are--there's no honesty
in them, nor I don't think there's a woman alive that could be trusted,
if you only give her temptation and opportunity; none of them will stand
that."

"But how do you account for the change in her case, I ask?"

"I'll tell you that. First and foremost, you're handsome--remarkably
handsome."

"Come, come, no nonsense, Donnel; get along, will you, ha! ha!
ha!--handsome indeed! Never you mind what the world says--well!"

"Why," replied the other, gravely, "there's no use in denyin' it, you
know; it's a matther that tells for itself, an' that a poor girl with
eyes in her head can judge of as a rich one--at any rate, if you're not
handsome, you're greatly belied; an' every one knows that there's never
smoke without fire."

"Well, confound you!--since they'll have it so, I suppose I may as well
admit it--I believe I am a handsome dog, and I have reason to know that,
that----" here he shook his head and winked knowingly: "Oh, come Donne