“Maura,” said he, when about to leave the house, “I'm heavy at heart for what has happened. Will you say that you forgive me, dear, before I go? and tell Hugh that I forgive him everything, and that the last words I said before I went, wor--'that the blessin' of God may rest upon him and his,' and upon you too, Maura, dear.” These expressions are customary among Irish families when a marriage is about to take place; but upon this occasion they came spontaneously from a generous and feeling heart. Felix saw with sorrow that his brother and sister had not blessed him, and he resolved that his part of a duty so tender should not remain unperformed. Maura, who suddenly averted her face when he addressed her, made no reply; but after he had departed from the threshold, her eyes followed him, and the tears slowly forced their way down her cheeks. “It's no use,” said she, “it's no use, I love him, I love my kind brother in spite of every thing. May God bless you Felix! may God bless you, and all you love! God forgive me for opposin' the boy as I did; and God forgive Hugh! but he thinks it would be all for Felix's good to stop his marriage with Alley Bawn.” Felix, who heard neither his sister's blessing nor the expression of the affection she bore him, passed on with hasty steps through the fields. He had not gone far, however, when he saw his brother walking towards him; his arms folded, and his eyes almost hidden by his heavy brows; sullen ferocity was in his looks, and his voice, as he addressed him, was hollow with suppressed rage. “So,” said he, “you will ruin yourself! Go back home, Felix.” “For God's sake, Hugh, let me alone, let me pass.” “You will go?” said the other. “I will, Hugh.” “Then may bad luck go with you, if you do. I order you to stay at home, I say.” “Mind your own business, Hugh, and I'll mind mine,” was the only reply given him. Felix walked on by making a small circuit out of the direct path, for he was anxious not only to proceed quickly, as his time was limited, but above all things, to avoid a collision with his brother. [Illustration: PAGE 75-- Felix fell forward in an instant]