Mary nodded her head in assent, and the frantic chestnut, who had been champing, jumping, and tearing up the ground, was at last suffered to fling herself into the stable yard. The news of Mary Foley’s sudden transformation flew round the county like wild-fire. Barky heard it in the stables, and brought it to his mother at dinner. “Now Barky,” she cried, “you’ve been drinking again! and you know you promised me on your honour, not to touch whisky between meals.” “I’m as sober as a judge, so don’t be flying into one of your tantrums for nothing; it’s the solid truth I’m telling you.” “What, Mary below, the daughter of Lord Mulgrave! And Kitty bringing her up as her own! Well”--and she gasped--“I don’t believe it.” “You can please yourself about that, but it’s true.” “I remember them at the cottage,” she returned, “and I went and called, but they just left cards here. They wanted no visitors. She was a pretty, Frenchy-looking young woman and--yes--Mary has a look of her. I wonder I never noticed it. But who would dream of looking for _her_ child in Katty Foley’s smoky cabin?” “If for it’s smoky, ’tis your own fault. You never will do a thing to the chimneys--often as you are asked.” “Yes, I see the likeness. And there was always something queer and independent about Mary, that I could never quite make out; she was never shy, or embarrassed.” “Now you have it. She’s an aristocrat.” “And what a match for some one!” “It’s a pity you snuffed out that affair with Ulick, or she might be your daughter-in-law this day.” “Of course she is impossible-a mere ignorant peasant. What an awful situation for the poor Mulgraves!” “Oh, she’s a bright enough girl. I daresay she can write, and speak, as well as any--and hold her own too.” “Who told you this story?” “Tom Whelan; he had it from Mrs. Hogan at the ‘Arms’; the lawyer and his sister are there, and his lordship too.” “Really! Oh, then, you must leave a card on him to-morrow.” “You and your card-leaving, mother! Maybe you will go and leave one on Mary.” “Of course; as soon as she is established in her new position I shall certainly call; it will be my duty to do so, considering that she was reared here, and lived on our land for twenty-one years.” “And has kept you going in your trade of eggs and chickens. This is no doubt one of her chickens I’m eating this minute.” “I wish you would marry her, Barky.” “And I don’t. In the first place, she wouldn’t look at me; she is accustomed to refusing; and in the second, she’s too much coxy and fiery. I tried to kiss her once, and she left the print of her five fingers on my face.” “You ought to be ashamed of yourself, Barky.” “Why? I’d kiss any girl that would let me. Now if I’d been Ulick, it would have been _all right_”. “Maybe it will be Ulick--yet.” “No, mammy. Use your common sense. She’s as much above him now, as he was above her before; it’s like a see-saw. Now I’m up, now you are down.” “Ulick is good enough for any one!”