ent at
laste, an' I'm only a fool for spaking to you."

He then retired to the upper part of the kiln, where, in a dark corner,
he knelt with a troubled heart, and prayed to God.

We doubt not but such readers as possess feeling will perceive that
Fardorougha was not only an object at this particular period of
much interest, but also entitled to sincere sympathy. Few men in his
circumstances could or probably would so earnestly struggle with a
predominant passion as he did, though without education, or such a
knowledge of the world as might enable him, by any observation of the
human heart in others, to understand the workings in his own. He had
not been ten minutes at prayer when the voice of his female servant was
heard in loud and exulting tones, calling out, ere she approached the
kiln itself--

"Fardorougha, ca woul thu?--Where's my footin', masther? Where's
my arles?--Come in--come in, you're a waitin' to kiss your son--the
misthress is dyin' till you kiss our son."

The last words were uttered as she entered the kiln.

"Dyin'!" he repeated--"the misthress dyin'--oh Susy, let a thousand
childre go before her--dyin'! did you say dyin'?"

"Ay did I, an' it's truth too; but it's wid joy she's dyin' to see
you kiss one of the purtiest young boys in all the barony of
Lisnamona--myself's over head and ears in love wid him already."

He gave a rapid glance upwards, so much so that it was scarcely
perceptible, and immediately accompanied her into the house. The child,
in the meantime, had been dressed, and lay on its mother's arm in the
bed when its father entered. He approached the bedside and glanced at
it--then at the mother who lay smiling beside it--she extended her hand
to him, whilst the soft, sweet tears of delight ran quietly down her
cheeks. When he seized her hand he stooped to kiss her, but she put up
her other hand and said--

"No, no, you must kiss him first."

[Illustration: PAGE 191-- Imprinted the father's first kiss]

He instantly stooped over the babe, took it in his arms, looked long
and earnestly upon it, put it up near him, again gave it a long, intense
gaze, after which he raised its little mouth to his own, and then
imprinted the father's first kiss upon the fragrant lips of his beloved
first-born. Having gently deposited the precious babe upon its mother's
arm, he caught her hand and imprinted upon her lips a kiss;--but to
those who understand it, we need not describe it--to those who