uty
to their eyes, and murmured to each other that she was like the Madonna.
A cruel interruption to their quiet rapture was now given by the
clattering sound of a horse's feet, and, immediately after, the entrance
of a man drenched to the skin, and dripping from the storm. After a few
hasty words of greeting, the strangers ascended the stairs, and were
shown into a little room, scantily furnished, but from which the view
they were supposed to come for could be obtained.

"What devotion to come out in such weather!" said she, when they were
alone. "It is only an Irishman, and that Irishman the O'Shea, could be
capable of this heroism."

"It's all very nice making fun of a man when he's standing like a soaked
sponge," said he; "but I tell you what, Mrs. Morris, the devil a Saxon
would do it. It's not in them to risk a sore-throat or a pain in the
back for the prettiest woman that ever stepped."

"I have just said so, but not so emphatically, perhaps; and, what is
more, I feel all the force of the homage as I look at you."

"Well, laugh away," said he. "When a woman has pretty teeth or good
legs, she does n't want much provocation to show them. But if we are to
stay any time here, could n't we have a bit of fire?"

"You shall come down to the kitchen presently, and have both food and
fire; for I'm sure there's something left, though we 've just dined."

"Dined?--where?"

"Well, eaten, if you like the word better; and perhaps it is the more
fitting phrase. I took my plate amongst these poor people, and I assure
you there was a carrot soup by no means bad. Sir William's _chef_ would
have probably taken exception to the garlic, which was somewhat in
excess, and there was a fishy flavor, also slightly objectionable. They
called it 'baccala.'"

"Faith, you beat me entirely!" exclaimed O'Shea. "I can't make you out
at all, at all."

"I assure you," resumed she, "it was quite refreshing to dine with
people who ate heartily, and never said an ill word of their neighbors.
I regret very much that you were not of the party."

"Thanks for the politeness, but I don't exactly concur with the regret."

"I see that this wetting has spoiled your temper. It is most unfortunate
for me that the weather should have broken just as I wanted you to be in
the very best of humors, and with the most ardent desire to serve me."

If she began this speech in a light and volatile tone, before she had
finished it her manner was grave and e