_Honor._ Is not he a kind father, then, after all?--That promise he gave me about Catty, even such as it is, has ased my heart wonderfully. Oh! it will all come right, and they’ll all be rasonable in time, even Catty Rooney, I’ve great hope; and little hope’s enough, even for love to live upon. But, hark! there’s my brother Phil coming. (_A noise heard in the back-house._) ‘Tis only the cow in the bier. (_A knock heard at the door._) No, ‘tis a Christian; no cow ever knocked so soft. Stay till I open--Who’s in it? _Randal._ (_from within_) Your own Randal--open quick. _Honor._ Oh! Randal, is it you? I can’t open the door. [_She holds the door--he pushes it half open._ _Randal._ Honor, that I love more than life, let me in, till I speak one word to you, before you’re set against me for ever. _Honor._ No danger of that--but I can’t let you in, Randal. _Randal._ Great danger! Honor, and you must. See you I will, if I die for it! [_He advances, and she retires behind the door, holding it against him._ _Honor._ Then I won’t see you this month again, if you do. My hand’s weak, but my heart’s strong, Randal. _Randal._ Then my heart’s as weak as a child’s this minute. Never fear--don’t hold against me, Honor; I’ll stand where I am, since you don’t trust me, nor love me--and best so, may be: I only wanted to say three words to you. _Honor._ I can’t hear you now, Randal. _Randal._ Then you’ll never hear me more. Good bye to you, Honor. [_He pulls the door to, angrily._ _Honor._ And it’s a wonder as it was you didn’t meet my father as you came, or my brother. _Randal._ (_pushing the door a little open again_) Your brother!--Oh, Honor! that’s what’s breaking my heart--(_he sighs_)--that’s what I wanted to say to you; and listen to me. No fear of your father, he’s gone down the road: I saw him as I come the short cut, but he didn’t see me. _Honor._ What of my brother?--say, and go. _Randal._ Ay, go--for ever, you’ll bid me, when I’ve said. _Honor._ What! oh, speak, or I’ll drop.--(_She no longer holds the door, but leans against a table.--RANDAL advances, and looks in._) _Randal._ Don’t be frightened, then, dearest--it’s nothing in life but a fight at a fair. He’s but little hurted. _Honor._ Hurted!--and by who? by you, is it?--Then all’s over.--(_RANDAL comes quite in--HONOR, putting her hand before her eyes._)--You may come or go, for I’ll never love you more. _Randal._ I expicted as much!--But she’ll faint! _Honor._ I won’t faint: leave me, Mr. Randal. _Randal._ Take this water from me, (_holding a cup_) it’s all I ask. _Honor._ No need. (_She sits down_) But what’s this?--(_Seeing his hand bound up._) _Randal._ A cut only. _Honor._ Bleeding--stop it. (_Turning from him coldly._) _Randal._ Then by this blood--no, not by this worthless blood of mine--but by that dearest blood that fled from your cheeks, and this minute is coming back, Honor, I swear--(_kneeling to her._)