“Your praise is enthusiastic, therefore extravagant.” “It could not be. Ask Judy herself.” “Ask a young woman still in love! She would be a very impartial witness, no doubt,” laughed The O’Melaghlin. “But now about my boy?” “He is altogether worthy of his sister and his brother-in-law. I could not say any more for him than that.” “Which is to say that he is good, true and brave.” “Yes, he is all that.” “But his objects in life?” “To be of the best use to any whom he may serve; and the better to do this, he wishes to get a good education.” “Quite right! And he is young enough still to go to college, not being quite twenty years of age.” “Oh, I am so glad for his sake that you have come forward; because Michael has that spirit of independence that he shrinks from being indebted to his good brother-in-law for his college fees.” “Quite right is that also. He is a true O’Melaghlin, and I am proud of him! And now, my dear young lady, you may be wondering how I discovered yourself and your husband and your connection—happy connection for them—with my children.” “It has been equally happy for us, sir, indeed. Michael and Judith are among our most esteemed friends.” “I am glad to hear you say so, dear madam.” CHAPTER XXXIII THE KINGLY O’MELAGHLINS At this moment Cleve Stuart so quietly entered the room that Palma was not aware of his entrance until he stood before her. “Mr. O’Melaghlin—Mr. Stuart,” she said, presenting the gentlemen to each other. The visitor arose and both bowed. “I bring a letter of introduction for you, sir, from the Messrs. Walling, of New York,” said The O’Melaghlin, drawing from his breast a neat, open envelope and handing it to Mr. Stuart. Cleve took it with a bow. On the envelope, besides the superscription—“To Cleve Stuart, Esq., Wolfscliff, W. V.,”—there was written between brackets, in the corner: “To introduce The O’Melaghlin, Carrick Arghalee, Antrim.” Now, the use of the definite article as the prefix of a man’s surname had been a puzzle to Palma, and even a surprise to Cleve, though he remembered that in the north of Ireland, as well as in Scotland, it was affected by certain heads of families among the landed gentry of ancient lineage, and considered to outrank either plain “Mr.” or “Squire.” O’Melaghlin, therefore, must be recognized as The O’Melaghlin. “With your permission,” said Stuart, with a bow, as he opened the letter, which was as follows—and rather more than sarcastic in its peculiar style, as Cleve thought when he read it, though he hoped and believed that the bearer of the letter had not—if he had read the words—perceived the sarcasm: “OFFICE OF WALLING & WALLING, Att’ys, Etc. “New York, May 8, 187—. “CLEVE STUART, ESQ., Wolfscliff, W. V.: I have the great honor to present—you—to The O’Melaghlin, of Carrick Arghalee, Antrim, Ireland.