“Good morning, Mr. Crow,” said Mary, in return for a number of most courteous salutations, which he was performing in a small semicircle in front of her. “Who is your friend Mr.--'Mr. Herman Merl '?” read she, taking up the card. “A friend of your cousin's, Miss Mary,--of the Captain's. He brought a letter from him; but he gave it to Scanlan, and somehow Mr. Maurice, I believe, forgot to deliver it.” “I have no recollection of it,” said she, still assorting the papers before her. “What is this visit meant for,--curiosity, pleasure, business? Does he wish to see the house?” “I think it's Miss Martin herself he'd like to see,” said Crow, half slyly. “But why so? It's quite clear that I cannot show him any attentions. A young girl, living as I do here, cannot be expected to receive guests. Besides, I have other things to attend to. You must do the honors of Cro' Martin, Mr. Crow. You must entertain this gentleman for me. I 'll order luncheon before I go out, and I 'm sure you 'll not refuse me this service.” “I wish I knew a real service to render you, Miss Mary,” said he, with unfeigned devotedness in his look as he spoke. “I think I could promise myself as much,” said Mary, smiling kindly on him. “Do you happen to know anything of this stranger, Mr. Crow?” “Nothing, miss, beyond seeing him this week back at Kilkieran.” “Oh, I have heard of him, then,” broke in Mary. “It is of him the people tell me such stories of benevolence and goodness. It was he that sent the yawl out to Murran Island with oatmeal and potatoes for the poor. But I thought they called him Mr. Barry?” “To be sure they do; and he's another guess man from him below stairs. This one here”--Mr. Crow now spoke in a whisper--“this one here is a Jew, I 'd take the Testament on it, and I 'd not be surprised if he was one of them thieving villains that they say robbed the Captain! All the questions he does be asking about the property, and the rents, if they 're well paid, and what arrears there are, shows me that he isn't here for nothing.” “I know nothing of what you allude to, Mr. Crow,” said she, half proudly; “it would ill become _me_ to pry into my cousin's affairs. At the same time, if the gentleman has no actual business with me, I shall decline to receive him.” “He says he has, miss,” replied Crow. “He says that he wants to speak to you about a letter he got by yesterday's post from the Captain.”