The perusal of this document, at least so far as they could understand it, astonished them not a little. Until they heard it read, both had been of the opinion that Hycy had actually proposed for Kathleen, or at least felt exceedingly anxious for the match. “An' does he talk about givin' her away to Bryan M'Mahon?” asked her mother. Sorrow on his impidence!--Bryan M'Mahon indeed! Throth, it's not upon his country side of wild mountain that Kathleen will go to live. An' maybe, too, she has little loss in the same Hycy, for, afther all, he's but a skite of a fellow, an' a profligate into the bargain.” “Paix an' his father,” said Gerald--“honest Jemmy--tould me that he'd have it a match whether or not.” “His father did!” exclaimed Mrs. Cavanagh; “now, did he say so, Gerald?” “Well, in troth he did--said that he had I set his heart upon it, an' that if she hadn't a gown to her back he'd make him marry her.” “The Lord direct us for the best!” exclaimed his wife, whose opinion of the matter at this last piece of information had again changed in favor of Hycy. “Sure, afther all, one oughtn't to be too sevare on so young a man. However, as the sayin' is, 'time will tell,' an' Kathleen's own good sense will show her what a match he'd be.” The sisters then retired to bed; but before they went, Kathleen approached her mother, and putting an open palm affectionately upon each of the good woman's cheeks, said, in a voice in which there was deep feeling and affection:-- “Good-night, mother dear! I'm sure you love me, an' I know it is because you do that you spake in this way; but I know, too, that you wouldn't make me unhappy and miserable for the wealth of the world, much less for Hycy Burke's share of it. There's a kiss for you, and good-night!--there's another for you, father; God bless you! and good-night, too. Come, Hanna darling, come!”