s angry wid
you, at all at all."

"Oh, bring me home," said the poor girl. "Father, dear, have no bad
opinion of me. I done nothing, an' I hope I never will do anything, that
would bring the blush of shame to your face."

"That's as true as that God's in heaven," observed Denis. "The angels in
his presence be not purer than she is."

"I take her own word for it," said the father; "a lie, to the best of my
knowledge, never came from her lips."

"Let us assist her home," said Denis. "I told you that we must have some
serious conversation about her. I'll take one arm, and do you take the
other."

"Do so," said the father, "an', Denny, as you're the youngest and the
strongest, jist take up that pitcher o' wather in your hand, an' carry
it to the house above."

Denis, who was dressed in his best black from top to toe, made a wry
face or two at this proposal. He was able, however, for Susan's sake, to
compromise his dignity: so looking about him, to be certain that there
was no other person observing them, he seized the pitcher in one hand,
gave Susan his arm, and in this unheroic manner assisted to conduct her
home.

In about half an hour or better after this, Denis and Owen Connor
proceeded in close and earnest conversation towards old Shaughnessy's.
On entering, Denis requested to speak with his father and brothers in
private.

"Father," said he, "this night is pregnant--that is, _vulgariter_, in
the family way--with my fate."

"Throth, it is, avick. Glory be to Goodness!"

"Here is Owen Connor, an honest, dacent neighbor--"

"Throth, he is an honest, dacent man, said the lather, interrupting him.

"Yes," replied the son, "I agree with you. Well, he has a certain
disclosure or proposal to make, which you will be pleased to take into
your most serious consideration. I, for my part, cannot help being
endowed with my own gifts, and if I happen to possess a magnet to
attract feminine sensibility, it is to heaven I owe it, and not to
myself."

"It is,"--said the father, "glory be to his name!"

"Don't be alarmed, or surprised, or angry, at anything Owen Connor may
say to you. I speak significantly. There are perplexities in all human
events, and the cardinal hinge of fate is forever turning. Now I must
withdraw; but in, the meantime I will be found taking a serenade behind
the garden, if I am wanted."

"Brian," said the father, "get the bottle; we can't on this night, any
way, talk to Owen Connor, or to any