Language could not describe the effect which this disclosure produced upon the congregation. The fancy of every one present was tickled at the idea of a union between Phelim and the old woman. It was followed by roars of laughter which lasted several minutes. “Oh, thin, the curse o' the crows upon him, was he only able to butther up the ould woman! Oh, _Ghe dldven!_ that flogs. Why, it's a wondher he didn't stale the ould slip, an' make a run-away match of it--ha, ha, ha! Musha, bad scran to her, but she had young notions of her own! A purty bird she picked up in Phelim!--ha, ha, ha!” “I also publish the banns of matrimony between Phelim O'Toole of Teernarogarah and Sally Flattery of the same place. If any of you knows of any impediment why they should not be joined in wedlock you are bound to declare it.” The mirth rose again, loud and general. Poodle Flattery, whose character was so well known, appeared so proper a father-in-law for Phelim, that his selection in this instance delighted them highly. “Betther an' betther, Phelim! More power to you! You're fixed at last. Poodle Flattery's daughter--a known thief! Well, what harm? Phelim himself has pitch on his fingers--or had, anyhow, when he was growin' up--for many a thing stuck to them. Oh, bedad, now we know what his Reverence was at when he talked about the 'Sizes, bad luck to them! Betune her an' the ould woman, Phelim 'ud be in Paradise! Foodie Flattery's daughter! Begad, she'll 'bring him property' sure enough, as his Reverence says.” “I also publish the banns of matrimony between Phelim O'Toole--whom we must in future call the 'Patriarch'--of Teernarogarah, and Peggy Donovan of the same place. If any of you knows any impediment in the way of their marriage, you are bound to declare it.” “Bravo! Phelim acushla. 'Tis you that's the blessed youth. Tundher-an'-whiskey, did ever any body hear of sich desate? To do three o' them. Be sure the Bouncer has some schame in this. Well, one would suppose Paddy Donovan an' his daughter had more sinse nor to think of sich a runagate as Bouncin' Phelim.” “No, but the Pathriark! Sure his Reverence sez that we musn't call him anything agin but the Pathriark! Oh, be gorra, that's the name!--ha, ha, ha!” When the mirth of the congregation had subsided, and their comments ended, the priest concluded in the following words:--