ght hand
into mine, and say the same words."

She did so, and was in the act of repeating the form, "I take God to
witness----" when a vivid flash of lightning shot from the darkness
above them, and a peal of thunder almost immediately followed, with an
explosion so loud as nearly to stun both. Una started with terror, and
instinctively withdrew her hand from Connor's.

"God preserve us!" she exclaimed; "that's awful. Connor, I feel as if the
act I am goin' to do is not right. Let us put it off at all events, till
another time."

"Is it because there comes an accidental brattle of thunder?" he
returned. "Why, the thunder would come if we were never to change a
promise. You have mine, now, Una dear, an' I'm sure you wouldn't wish
me to be bound an' yourself free. Don't be afraid, darling; give me your
hand, an' don't tremble so; repeat the words at wanst, an' let it be
over."

He again took her hand, when she repeated the form in a distinct, though
feeble voice, observing, when it was concluded,

"Now, Connor, I did this to satisfy you, but I still feel like one who
has done a wrong action. I am yours now, but I cannot help praying to
God that it may end happily for us both."

"It must, darling Una--it must end happily for us both. How can it be
otherwise? For my part, except to see you my wife, I couldn't be happier
than I am this minute; exceptin' that, my heart has all it wished for.
Is it possible--Oh! is it possible that this is not a dream, my heart's
life? But if it is--if it is--I never more will wish to waken."

Her young lover was deeply affected as he uttered these words, nor was
Una proof against the emotion they produced.

"I could pray to God, this moment, with a purer heart than I ever had
before," he proceeded, "for makin' my lot in life so happy. I feel that
I am better and freer from sin than I ever was yet. If we're faithful
and true to one another, what can the world do to us?"

"I couldn't be otherwise than faithful to you," she replied, "without
being unhappy myself; an' I trust it's no sin to love each other as
we do. Now let us----God bless me, what a flash! and here's the rain
beginning. That thunder's dreadful; Heaven preserve us! It's an awful
night! Connor, you must see me as far as the corner of the garden; as
for you, I wish you were safe at home."

"Hasten, dear," said he, "hasten; it's no night for you to be out in,
now that the rain's coming. As for me, if it was ten times as