“Why, indeed, mother, it's not an easy thing to answer that question,” replied Hanna. “She sartinly resaved a letther from him, an' indeed, I think,” she added, her animated face brightening into a smile, “that as the boys is gone to bed, we had as good read it.” “No, Hanna, darling, don't,” said Kathleen--“I beg you won't read it.” “Well, but I beg I will,” she replied; “it'll show them, at any rate, what kind of a reformation is likely to come over him. I have it here in my pocket--ay, this is it. Now, father,” she proceeded, looking at the letter, “here is a letter, sent to my sister--'To Miss Cavanagh,' that's what's on the back of it--and what do you think Hycy, the sportheen, asks her to do for him?” “Why, I suppose,” replied her mother, “to run away wid him?” “Na” “Then to give her consent to marry him?” said her father. “Both out,” replied Hanna; “no, indeed, but to lend him five-and-thirty pounds to buy a mare, called Crazy Jane, belonging to Tom Burton, of the Race Road!” “'My Dear Bryan--For heaven's sake, in addition to your other generosities--for-which I acknowledge myself still in your debt--will you lend me thirty-five pounds, to secure a beautiful mare belonging to Tom Burton, of the Race Road? She is a perfect creature, and will, if I am not quick, certainly slip through my fingers. Jemmy, the gentleman'-- “This is what he calls his father, you must know. “'Jemmy, the gentleman, has promised to stand to me some of these days, and pay off all my transgressions, like a good, kind-hearted, soft-headed old Trojan as he is; and, for this reason, I don't wish to press him now. The mare is sold under peculiar circumstances; otherwise I could have no chance of her at such a price. By the way, when did you see Katsey'-- “Ay, Katsey!--think of that, now--doesn't he respect your daughter very much, father? “'By the way, when did you see Katsey Cavanagh?--'” “What is this you're readin' to me?” asked her father. “You don't mean to say that this letter is to Kathleen?” “Why, no; but so much the better--one has an opportunity now of seein' what he is made of. The letter was intended for Bryan M'Mahon; but he sent it, by mistake, to Kathleen. Listen--- “'When did you see Katsey Cavanagh? She certainly is not ill-looking, and will originate you famous mountaineers. Do, like a good fellow, stand by me at this pinch, and I will drink your health and Kat-sey's, and that you may--' (what's this?) 'col--colonize Ahadarra with a race of young Colossusses that the world will wonder at. “'Ever thine, “'H. Burke.' “Here's more, though: listen, mother, to your favorite, that you want to marry Kathleen to:-- “'P.S. I will clear scores with you for all in the course of a few months, and remember that, at your marriage, I must, with my own hand, give you away to Katsey, the fair Oolossa.'”