The uncle advanced--it was Old Worral; and the astonishment which Andrews felt at finding him the grand-uncle of his Ellen may be imagined. Things were briefly explained; and the veteran, seizing the hand of Andrews as well as that of Ellen, exclaimed, “I see you are a couple that ought not to be separated; but I know what the service is--no woman can be certain of permission to embark with her husband; therefore you must be patient, and hope to be united soon. Young man, you are going to a foreign country, to meet the dangers of the field, and I am on the verge of the grave--we may or may not meet again: but here, before we do part, let me, in the presence of her mother, give you my consent to marry my dear Ellen. I see you are a good young man, and she is worthy of you--she loves you, and, from what I hear, I have no doubt you love her;--there; I give her to you, and two hundred pounds,--the savings of a long life. If you return safe from Portugal, and marry my dear little Ellen--if you both come happily together, and that it please God to put me under ground before that time--all I ask is, that you drink poor Old Worrel’s health, and be kind to Ellen Hart.” “That I will,” said Andrews, as he took up his musket, which he had placed against a tree--for the regiment was ordered to fall in, the drums were beating, and the parting word passing from many. After an instant’s pause, he took the hand of the old man, and with great emotion said, “O! take care of her,” then pressed once more his Ellen to his breast: neither he nor she spoke a word--they could not; but their hearts beat closely together, and right well understood each other. The old man and the mother of the girl stood gazing sorrowfully; and even O’Callaghan’s eyes were about to betray him into weakness. The lovers separated; and with the blessing of the old soldier and his niece, Jack Andrews and the Corporal hastened to fall into the ranks. All was now ready--the commanding officer gave the word “_Quick, March!_”--the band struck up “_The girl I left behind me_,”--and with three huzzas from the crowd, the gallant soldiers marched off from Ballycraggen, to take, once more, the field against the enemies of their country. THE END. LONDON: PRINTED BY S. AND R. BENTLEY, DORSET STREET. ⁂ _The interesting music for which the songs of this work were written, is preparing for publication, with the words attached thereto; and will shortly be ready for delivery at the music shops._ FOOTNOTES: [1] The technical term for a particular movement in the art of Irish village dancing.