“Why not?” exclaimed both; “of course you will--go over and bring her out.” Hycy, approaching her, said, in his blandest and most persuasive manner, “Miss Cavanagh, will you allow me the gratification of dancing a reel with you?” “I'm obliged to you, Mr. Burke,” she replied gravely; “I have just danced a reel with Bryan M'Mahon here, and I don't intend to dance any more to-night.” “A simple reel?” said Hycy; “perhaps you will so far favor me? I shall consider it as a favor, I assure you.” “Excuse me, Mr. Burke, but I won't dance any more to-night.” “That's hard,” he replied, “especially as I came all the way to have that pleasure. Perhaps you will change your mind, Miss Cavanagh?” “I'm not in the habit of changing my mind, Mr. Burke,” she replied, “and I don't see any reason why I should do so now. I say once for all that I won't dance any more to-night.” “What is it,” asked the mother, on perceiving her hesitation; “won't she dance wid you? Hut, tut, Kathleen, what nonsense is this? To be sure you must dance wid Mr. Burke; don't take any refusal, Mr. Burke--is that all you know about girls.--sure nineteen refusals is aquil to one consent. Go over, Gerald, and make her dance wid him,” she added, turning to her husband. “What's the matter, Kathleen, that you won't dance wid Mr. Hycy?” asked the good man. “Because I have danced all I will dance to-night, father.” “Tut, nonsense, you foolish girl--it's proud you ought to be that he'd ax you. Get up and dance a reel wid him.” Hanna, who knew her sister's resolution when once formed, immediately came to her rescue. “Don't ask her, father,” she said; “the truth is, that I believe she has a headache--however, I'll take her place--have you any objection to me, Mr. Burke?” None in the world--he would be very happy--only he regretted that he could not have that pleasure also with his sister. “Ah, Mr. Hycy--which is properly Hyacinthus,” said Finigan; “I am able to perceive that Cupid declines to be propitious in that quarter, or perhaps it's the _irae amantium_,---which is, on being rendered into vernacularity, a falling out of lovers; and if so, do not despair; for as certain as it is, it will be followed by that most delectable of processes, the _redintegratio amoris_, or the renewing of love. In fact, he is a little better than a tyro--an ignoramus, who doesn't quarrel at least once a week, wid the fair object of his amorous inclinations, an' that for the sake of the reconciliaitons.” Hycy and Hanna were now about to dance, when Philip Hogan came forward, and, with an oath, declared that Kathleen must dance--“He wouldn't see Mr. Burke insulted that way by any such airs--and by--she must dance. Come,” said he, “what stuff is this--we'll see whether you or I is strongest;” and as he spoke he seized her rudely by the arm, and was about to pull her out on the floor. Bryan M'Mahon sprung to his feet. “Let her go, you ruffian,” he exclaimed; “let her go this instant.”