“Very well, sir,” said the widow; “I know nothing of law. You know
best--whatever you direct--for you are acting as a friend to us now.
My son got the attorney to draw the pair of new _lases_ yesterday, and
here they are ready, all to signing.”
Mr. Dennis said, his brother must settle that part of the business,
and that they must carry them up to the castle; “but first give me the
possession.”
Then, as he instructed her, she gave up the key of the door to him,
and a bit of the thatch of the house; and he raked out the fire, and
said every living creature must go out. “It’s only form of law,” said
he.
“And must my lodger get up, and turn out, sir?” said she.
“He must turn out, to be sure--not a living soul must he left in it,
or it’s no legal possession, properly. Who is your lodger?”
On Lord Colambre’s appearing, Mr. Dennis showed some surprise, and
said, “I thought you were lodging at Brannagan’s; are not you the man
who spoke to me at his house about the gold mines?”
“No, sir, he never lodged at Brannagan’s,” said the widow.
“Yes, sir, I am the person who spoke to you about the gold mines at
Brannagan’s; but I did not like to lodge--”
“Well, no matter where you liked to lodge; you must walk out of this
lodging now, if you please, my good friend.”
So Mr. Dennis pushed his lordship out by the shoulders, repeating, as
the widow turned back, and looked with some surprise and alarm, “only
for form sake, only for form sake!” then locking the door, took the
key, and put it into his pocket. The widow held out her hand for it:
“The form’s gone through now, sir; is not it? Be plased to let us in
again.”
“When the new lease is signed, I’ll give you possession again; but not
till then--for that’s the law. So make away with you to the castle;
and mind,” added he, winking slily, “mind you take sealing-money with
you, and something to buy gloves.”
“Oh, where will I find all that?” said the widow.
“I have it, mother; don’t fret,” said Grace. “I have it--the price
of--what I can want[10]. So let us go off to the castle without delay.
Brian will meet us on the road, you know.”
They set off for Clonbrony Castle, Lord Colambre accompanying them.
Brian met them on the road. “Father Tom is ready, dear mother; bring
her in, and he’ll marry us. I’m not my own man till she’s mine. Who
knows what may happen?”
“Who knows? that’s true,” said the widow.
“Better go to the castle first,” said Grace.
“And keep the priest waiting! You can’t use his reverence so,” said
Brian.
So she let him lead her into the priest’s house, and she did not make
any of the awkward draggings back, or ridiculous scenes of grimace
sometimes exhibited on these occasions; but blushing rosy red, yet
with more self-possession than could have been expected from her timid
nature, she gave her hand to the man she loved, and listened with
attentive devotion to the holy ceremony.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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