t out later on, Tony; leave that to me," said she,
hurriedly; for with all her honesty, she could not bear to throw a cloud
over his present happiness, or dash with sorrow the delight he felt at
his friend's coming.

"I don't suspect," continued he, thoughtfully, "that I made a very
successful impression on that Mrs. M'Grader the day I called on Dolly;
and if she only connected me with this night's exploit, of course it's
all up with me."

"Her husband bears you no grudge for it at all, Tony."

"That's clear enough; he's a fine fellow; but if it should turn out,
mother, that poor Dolly lost her situation,--it was no great thing, to
be sure; but she told me herself, it was hard enough to get as good; and
if, I say, it was through me she lost it--"

"You mustn't give yourself the habit of coining evil, Tony. There are
always enough of hard and solid troubles in life without our conjuring
up shadows and spectres to frighten us. As I said before, I 'll have a
talk with Dolly herself, and I 'll find out everything."

"Do so, mother; and try and make her come often over here when I'm gone;
she'll be very lonely yonder, and you 'll be such good company for each
other, won't you?"

"I 'll do my best, for I love her dearly! She has so many ways, too,
that suit an old body like myself. She's so quiet and so gentle, and she
'll sit over her work at the window there, and lay it down on her knee
to look out over the sea, never saying a word, but smiling a little
quiet smile when our eyes meet, as though to say, 'This is very peaceful
and happy, and we have no need to tell each other about it, for we can
feel it just as deeply.'"

Oh, if she 'd only let Alice come to see her and sit with her, thought
Tony; how she _would_ love her! Alice could be all this, and would, too;
and then, what a charm she can throw around her with that winning smile!
Was there ever sunshine like it? And her voice--no music ever thrilled
through _me_ as that voice did. "I say, mother," cried he, aloud, "don't
say No; don't refuse her if she begs to come over now and then with a
book or a few flowers; don't deny her merely because she's very rich and
much courted and flattered. I pledge you my word the flattery has not
spoiled her."

"Poor Dolly! it's the first time I ever heard that you were either rich
or inn after! What 's the boy dreaming of, with his eyes staring in his
head?"

"I 'm thinking that I 'll go into Coleraine to-night, so as to be