“No, James, I have an engagement of more importance than you could ever dhrame of, and about--but I'm not free or at liberty to develop the plot--for plot it is--at any greater length. Many thanks to you in the mane time for your hospitable intentions; but before I go, I have a word to say. Now, what do you think of that young man's ginerosity, who would rather have himself thought guilty than have her thought wrong; for, whisper,--I say he's not guilty, and maybe--but, no ruatther, time will tell, and soon tell, too, plaise God.” So saying he took up his hat, and politely wished them a pleasant evening, but firmly refused to taste another drop of liquor, “lest,” he added, “it might denude him of the necessary qualifications for accomplishing the enterprise on which he was bint.” When he was gone, Kathleen brought her sister to their own room, and throwing herself on her bosom, she spoke not, but wept calmly and in silence for about twenty minutes. “Kathleen,” said Hanna, “I am glad to see this, and I often wished for it.” “Whisht, dear Hanna,” she replied; “don't speak to me at present. I'm not fit to talk on that unfortunate subject yet. 'Forgive us our trespassess as we--we--forgive them that trespass against us!' Oh! Hanna darling, how have I prayed?” They then rejoined the family. CHAPTER XXIII.--Harry Clinton's Benevolence Defeated --His Uncle's Treachery--The Marriage of Kathleen and Edward Burke Determined on This partial restoration of M'Mahon to the affections of Kathleen Cavanagh might have terminated in a full and perfect reconciliation between them, were it not for circumstances which we are about to detail. From what our readers know of young Clinton, we need not assure them that, although wild and fond of pleasure, he was by no means devoid of either generosity or principle. There were indeed few individuals, perhaps scarcely any, in the neighborhood, who felt a deeper or manlier sympathy for the adverse fate and evil repute which had come so suddenly, and, as he believed in his soul, undeservedly, upon Bryan M'Mahon. He resolved accordingly to make an effort for the purpose of setting the unfortunate young man's character right with the public, or if not with the public, at least in that quarter where such a service might prove most beneficial to him, we mean in Gerald Cavanagh's family. Accordingly, one morning after breakfast as his uncle sat reading the newspaper, he addressed him as follows:-- “By the way, uncle, you must excuse mo for asking you a question or two.” “Certainly, Harry. Did I not often desire you never to hesitate asking me any question you wish? Why should you not?” “This, however, may be trenching a little upon the secrets of your--your--profession.” “What is it?--what is it?” “You remember the seizure you made some time ago in the townland of Ahadarra?” “I do perfectly well.”