“He's in the house, an' wants you to answer Mrs. Fogarty, statin' feder you'll take a month's larnin' on the _flure_ or not.” “Well, I'll see her letter in a minute or two, but you may tell my father he needn't wait--I won't answer it to-night at all event's.” “You must answer it on the nail,” replied her mother, “becase the messager's waitin' in the kitchen 'ithin.” “That alters the case altogether,” returned Una, “and I'll follow you immediately.” The good woman then withdrew, having once more enjoined the daughter to avoid delay, and not to detain the messenger. “You must go instantly,” she said to Connor. “Oh, what would happen me if they knew that I lov--that I--” a short pause ensued, and she blushed deeply. “Say, what you were goin' to say,” returned Connor; “Oh, say that one word, and all the misfortunes that ever happened to man, can't make me unhappy! Oh, God! an' is it possible? Say that word--Oh! say it--say it!” “Well, then,” she continued, “if they knew that I love the son of Fardorougha Donovan, what would become of me? Now go, for fear my father may come out.” “But when will I see you again?” “Go,” said she anxiously; “go, you can easily see me.” “But when?--when? say on Thursday.” “Not so soon--not so soon,” and she cast an anxious eye towards the garden gate. “When then--say this day week.” “Very well--but go--maybe my father has heard from the servants that you are here.” “Dusk is the best time.” “Yes--yes--about dusk; under the alders, in the little green field behind the garden.” “Show me the wounded finger,” said he with a smile, “before I go.” “There,” said she, extending her hand; “but for Heaven's sake go.” “I'll tell you how to cure it,” said he, tenderly; “honey is the medicine; put that sweet finger to your own sweeter lip--and, afterwards, I'll carry home the wound.” “But not the medicine, _now_,” said she, and, snatching her hand from his, with light, fearful steps, she fled up the garden and disappeared. Such, gentle reader, were the circumstances which brought our young and artless lovers together in the black twilight of the singularly awful and ominous evening which we have already described.