lease."

The party, headed by Jerry O'Toole, who had taken the light out of Mrs
McShane's hand, now ascended the ladder to the upper storey, and as I
lay by Kathleen, I felt that she trembled with fear. After examining
every nook and cranny they could think of, they came to Mrs McShane's
room--"O! go in--go in and look, Mr O'Toole; it's a very likely thing
to insinuate that I should have a tithe proctor in my bed. Search,
pray," and Mrs McShane led the way into her own room.

Every part had been examined, except the small sleeping room of
Kathleen; and the party paused before the door. "We must search,"
observed O'Toole, doggedly.

"Search my daughter's! very well, search if you please; it's a fine
story you'll have to tell, how six great men pulled a poor girl out of
her bed to look for a tithe proctor. It will be a credit to you anyhow;
and you, Corny O'Toole, you'll stand well in her good graces, when you
come to talk about the wedding-day; and your wife that is to be, pulled
out of her bed by a dozen men. What will ye say to Kathleen, when you
affront her by supposing that a maiden girl has a tithe proctor in bed
with her? D'ye think that ye'll ever have the mother's consent or
blessing?"

"No one goes into Kathleen's room," cried Corny O'Toole, roused by the
sarcasms of Mrs McShane.

"Yes, Corny," replied Mrs McShane, "it's not for a woman like me to be
suspected, at all events; so you, and you only, shall go into the room,
if that will content ye, Mr Jerry O'Toole."

"Yes!" replied the party, and Mrs McShane opened the door.

Kathleen rose up on her elbow, holding the bed-clothes up to her throat,
and looking at them, as they entered, said, "O Corny! Corny! this to
me?"

Corny never thought of looking for anybody, his eyes were rivetted upon
his sweetheart. "Murder, Kathleen, is it my fault? Jerry will have
it."

"Are you satisfied, Corny?" said Mrs McShane.

"Sure enough I was satisfied before I came in, that Kathleen would not
have anyone in her bed-room," replied Corny.

"Then good night, Corny, and it's to-morrow that I'll talk with ye,"
replied Kathleen.

Mrs McShane then walked out of the room, expecting Corny to follow; but
he could not restrain himself, and he came to the bedside. Fearful that
if he put his arms round her, he would feel me, Kathleen raised herself,
and allowed him to embrace her. Fortunately the light was not in the
room, or I should have been discovered, as in s