baggage," he asserted; "if
ye'd wanted me to let them stay where they were, an' them owin' me so
much rent an' all, ye ought to have behaved different. But on account
of this impident young sckamer ye go tellin' me ye won't marry Mr.
Quinn, the man I chose for ye, an' I catch ye sweetheartin' an'
carryin' on wid that ploughboy there, demanin' yourself altogether.
Sure nobody could be expected to stand that. I won't stand it anyhow.
Out they go, and off the whole o' them may march."

Roseen was silent for a moment, apparently battling with herself, and
at last she said in a very shaky voice:

"It's a poor case if it's me that's bringin' this throuble on them
all. Grandfather, if--if I was to give ye me word that I wouldn't
spake to Mike in the way of courtin' agin--"

"Wisha!" cried Peter sarcastically, "much good that would do. I know
the way ye would keep your promise, me lady; no, no, I'll make sure of
this job."

"Oh, grandfather! I'll promise, I promise faithful never so much as to
look at Mike!"

But Peter was inexorable; he had been wounded in his tenderest point,
bearded by these two impudent young people--set at nought. His pride,
moreover, could not brook the proximity of the audacious youth who had
dared to aspire to the hand of his granddaughter, and of the parents
who had, as he had been reminded that day, ventured to befriend her
when he himself had cast her off.

He felt that he must be rid of them without delay. Poor Roseen crept
upstairs and sat disconsolately at the window, watching the corner of
the haggard where she expected before long to see Mike appear. It had
been the custom of the young pair to meet for a few moments every
evening, under the shadow of the big hayrick and there converse before
Mike returned home. He would surely come, if only to say good-bye.
Poor fellow, what would he do? Whither would he go? Big tears rolled
down Roseen's cheeks as she thought of his desperate plight.

As she sat watching and waiting--for she dared not venture out too
soon lest her grandfather's suspicions should be aroused--a sudden
rattling and fumbling at the lock of her own door made her turn round.
The door was opened for a moment, a lean hand thrust into the room,
the key which had been on the inner side was withdrawn suddenly; then
the door quickly closed again, and before Roseen thoroughly realised
what had happened, old Peter locked her in.

"Good night, me dear!" he cried ironically through t