_Owen._ And I’m off entirely:--I’ll not list, I thank you, sir. [_MABEL clasps her hands joyfully, then embraces her brother._ _Mr. H._ And I’ll not ask you to list--and I would not have asked it at all, but that a friend of yours told me it would be the greatest service I could do you, and that it was the thing of all others you wished. _Owen._ That friend was Christy Gallagher: but he was mistaken--that’s all. _Mabel._ I hope that’s all. But I’ve no dependance on him for a friend, nor has my mother. _Owen._ Why, he was saying to me, and I could not say against it, that he had a right to propose for the inn if he could, though Gilbert and we wanted to get it. _Mabel._ Then I wonder why Christy should be preferred rather than my mother. _Owen._ Then that’s a wonder--and I can’t understand how that was. _Mr. H._ I have one more thing to say, or to do, which I should like better, if you’ll give me leave. If there’s a difficulty aboot the rent of this new inn that you are talking of, I have a little spare money, and you’re welcome to it:--I consider it as a debt of my brother’s, which I am bound to pay; so no obligation in life--tell me how much will do. [_Takes out his purse._ _Owen_ and _Mabel._ You are very kind--you are very good. _Mr. H._ No, I am not--I am only just. Say only how much will do. _Owen._ Alas! money won’t do now, sir. It’s all settled, and Christy says he has a promise of it in writing from the lady. _Mr. H._ May be this Christy might sell his interest, and we will see--I will not say till I find I can do. Fare ye weel till we meet, as I hope we shall, at the dance that’s to be at the castle. The band is to be there, and I with them, and I shall hope for this lassy’s hand in the dance. _Mabel._ (_aside_) And Gilbert that never asked me! (_Aloud_) I thank you kindly, sir, I sha’n’t go to the dance at-all-at-all, I believe--my mother had better take her rest, and I must stay with her--a good night to you kindly. [_Exit MABEL into her mother’s room._ _Mr. H._ This sister of yours would leave me no heart to carry back to Scotland, I fear, but that I’m a married man already, and have my own luve--a Kate of my own, that’s as fair as she, and as gude, and that’s saying much. _Owen._ (_aside_) Much more than Florinda Gallagher will like to hear. _Mr. H._ I shall thank you if you will teach me, for my Kate, the words of that song your sister was singing when we came in. _Owen._ I believe it’s to flatter me you say this, for that song is my writing. _Mr. H._ Yours? _Owen._ Mine, such as it is. _Mr. H._ Sic a ane as you are then, I’m glad you are not to be a bugle-boy: your sister is right. _Owen._ I’ll teach you the words as we go along. _Mr. H._ Do so;--but mind now this song-writing do not lead you to idleness. We must see to turn your edication to good account. (_Aside_) Oh, I will never rest till I pay my brother’s debt, some way or other, to this gude family. [_Exeunt._ ACT III. SCENE I.