body else, wid dhry lips."

The bottle was accordingly got, and Owen, with no very agreeable
anticipations, found himself compelled to introduce a very hazardous
topic.

Denis, as he said, continued to walk to and fro behind the garden. He
thought over the incidents of the evening, but had no hope that Owen
Connor's proposal would be accepted. He knew his father and family too
well for that. With respect to Susan's vow, he felt certain that any
change of opinion on her part was equally improbable. It was clear,
then, that he had no pretext for avoiding Maynooth; and as the shame,
affliction, and indignation of the family would, he knew, be terrible,
he resolved to conform himself to his circumstances, trusting to absence
for that diminution of affection which it often produces. Having settled
these points in his mind, he began to grope that part of his head which
had come in contact with Owen Connor's cudgel. He had strong surmises
that a bump existed, and on examining, he found that a powerful organ of
self-esteem had been created.

At this moment he saw Owen Connor running past him at full speed,
pursued by his father and brothers, the father brandishing a cudgel
in his hand. The son, who understood all, intercepted the pursuers,
commanding them, in a loud voice to stop. With his brothers he
succeeded; but the father's wrath was not to be appeased so easily.
Nothing now remained but to stand in his way, and arrest him by friendly
violence; Denis, therefore, seized him, and, by assuming all his
authority, at length prevailed upon him to give over the chase.

"Only think of him," exclaimed the father, breathless--"only think
of him havin' the assurance to propose a match between you an' his
baby-faced daughter! Ho! _Dher manhim_, Owen Connor," he shouted,
shaking the staff at Owen as he spoke--"_Dher manhim!_ if I was near
you, I'd put your bones through other, for darin' to mintion sich a
thing!"

Owen Connor, on finding that he was na longer pursued, stood to
reconnoitre the enemy:--

"Denis Oge," he shouted back, "be on to Maynooth as fast as possible,
except you wish to have my poor child left fatherless entirely. Go way,
an' my blessin' be along wid you; but let there be never another word
about that business while you live."

"Father," said Denis, "I'm scandalized at your conduct on this dignified
occasion. I am also angry with Brian and the rest of you. Did you not
observe that the decent man was advance