He looked surprised as she asked him this singular question. “I am,” said he; “but, dear Kathleen, I can't rightly understand you. What temptations do you mane?” “Have you not promised to vote for Mr. Vanston, the Tory candidate, who never in his life voted for your religion or your liberty?” “Do you mane me, dearest Kathleen?” “You, certainly; who else could I mean when I ask you the question?” “Why, I never promised to vote for Vanston,” he replied; “an' what is more--but who said I did?” “On the day before yesterday,” she proceeded, “two gentlemen came to our house to canvass votes, and they stated plainly that you had promised to vote for them--that is for Vanston.” “Well, Kathleen, all I can say is, that the statement is not true. I didn't promise for Vanston, and they did not even ask me. Are you satisfied now? or whether will you believe them or me?” “I am satisfied, dear Bryan; I am more than satisfied; for my heart is easy. Misfortune! what signifies mere misfortune, or the loss of a beggarly farm?” “But, my darling Kathleen, it is anything but a beggarly farm.” Kathleen, however, heard him not, but proceeded. “What signifies poverty, Bryan, or struggle, so long as the heart is right, and the conscience clear and without a spot? Nothing--oh, nothing! As God is to judge me, I would rather beg my bread with you as an honest man, true, as I said awhile ago, to your God and your religion, than have an estate by your side, if you could prove false to either.” The vehemence with which she uttered these sentiments, and the fire which animated her whole mind and manner, caused them to pause again, and Bryan, to whom this high enthusiasm was perfectly new, now saw with something like wonder, that the tears were flowing down her cheeks. He caught her hand and said “My own darling Kathleen, the longer I know you the more I see your value; but make your mind easy; when I become a traitor to either God or my religion, you may renounce me!” “Don't be surprised at these tears, Bryan; don't, my dear Bryan; for you may look upon them as a proof of how much I love you, and what I would feel if the man I love should do anything unworthy, or treacherous, to his religion or his suffering country.” “How could I,” he replied, “with my own dear Kathleen, that will be a guardian angel to me, to advise and guide me? Well, now that your mind is aisy, Kathleen, mine I think is brighter, too. I have no doubt but we'll be happy yet--at least I trust in God we will. Who knows but everything may prove betther than our expectations; and as you say, they may make a poor man of me, and ruin me, but so long as I can keep my good name, and am true to my country, and my God, I can never complain.” CHAPTER XVII.--Interview between Hycy and Finigan --The Former Propones for Miss Clinton--A love Scene