“Oh, Una,” said Connor, now melting into tenderness greater than he had ever before felt; “Una dear, it's useless--it's useless--I can't, no, I couldn't--and I will not live without you, even if we were to beg together--but what is to be done?” “Now, while my brother John is at home, is the time to propose it to my father and mother who look upon him with eyes of such affection and delight that I am half inclined to think their consent may be gained.” “Maybe, darling, his consent will be as hard to gain as their own.” “Now,” she replied, fondly, “only you're a hard--hearted thing that's afraid to live in a cottage with me, I could tell you some good news--or rather you doubt me--and fear that I wouldn't live in one with you.” A kiss was the reply, after which he said-- “With you, my dear Una, now that you're satisfied, I would live and die in a prison--with you, with you--in whatever state of life we may be placed, with you, but without you--never, I could not--I could not----” “Well, we are young, you know, and neither of us proud--and I am not a lazy girl--indeed, I am not; but you forget the good news.” “I forget that, and everything else but yourself, darling, while I'm in your company. O heavens! if you were once my own, and that we were never to be separated!” “Well, but the good news!” “What is it, dear?” “I haye mentioned our affection to my brother, and he has promised to assist us. He has heard of your character, and of your mother's, and says that it's unjust to visit upon you----” She paused--“You know, my dear Connor, that you must not be offended with anything I say.” “I know, my sweet treasure, what you're going to say,” replied Connor, with a smile; “nobody need be delicate in saying that my father loves the money, and knows how to put guinea to guinea; that's no secret. I wish he loved it less, to be sure, but it cannot be helped; in the mean time, _ma colleen dhas dhun_--O, how I love them words! God bless your brother! he must have a kind heart, Una dear, and he must love you very much when he promises to assist us.” “He has, and will; but, Connor, why did you send such a disagreeable, forward, and prying person, as your father's servant to bring me your message? I do not like him--he almost stared me out of countenance.” “Poor fellow,” said Connor, “I feel a good dale for him, and I think he's an honest, good--hearted boy, and besides, he's in love himself.” “I know he, was always a starer, and I say again _I don't_ like him.” “But, as the case stands, dear Una, I have no one else to trust to--at all events, he's in our secret, and the best way, if he's not honest, is to keep him in it; at laste, if we put him out of it now, he might be talking to our disadvantage.”