“Of, course, my dear, it's very unlike what you 're used to up in Dublin, though I believe that Captain Bodkin, when he goes there, always dines with the Lord-Lieutenant; and Miss Busk, I know, is second cousin to Ram of Swainestown, and there is nothing better than that in Ireland. I say this between ourselves, for your father can't bear me to talk of family or connections, though I am sure I was always brought up to think a great deal about good blood; and if my father was a Finnerty, my mother was a Moore of Crockbawn, and her family never looked at her for marrying my father.” “Indeed!” said Joe, in a dreamy semi-consciousness. “It's true what I 'm telling you. She often said it to me herself, and told me what a blessing it was, through all her troubles and trials in life; and she had her share of them, for my father was often in drink, and very cruel at times. 'It supports me,' she used to say, 'to remember who I am, and the stock I came from, and to know that there 's not one belonging to me would speak to me, nor look at the same side of the road with me, after what I done; and, Matty,' said she to me, 'if ever it happens to you to marry a man beneath you in life, always bear in mind that, no matter how he treats you, you 're better than him.' And, indeed, it's a great support and comfort to one's feelings, after all,” said she, with a deep sigh. “I'm certain of it,” muttered Joe, who had not followed one word of the harangue. “But mind that you never tell your father so. Indeed, I would n't let on to him what happened this evening.” “What was that?” asked the young man, roused by the increased anxiety of her manner. “It was a visit I had, my dear,” replied the old lady, with a simpering consciousness that she had something to reveal,--“it was a visit I had paid me, and by an elegant young lady, too.” “A young lady? Not Miss Cassidy, mother. I think she left yesterday morning.” “No, indeed, my dear. Somebody very different from Miss Cassidy; and you might guess till you were tired before you 'd think of Miss Martin.” “Miss Martin!” echoed Joe.