much acquainted with the Donovans. I'm tould they're a hard pack, that
loves the money."

"Faix," replied her companion, "Let Fardorougha alone for knowin' the
value of a shillin'!--they're not in Europe can hould a harder grip o'
one."

His master, in fact, was a hard, frugal man, and his mistress a woman
of somewhat similar character; both were strictly honest, but, like
many persons to whom God has denied offspring, their hearts had for a
considerable time before been placed upon money as their idol; for, in
truth, the affections must be fixed upon something, and we generally
find that where children are denied, the world comes in and hardens by
its influence the best and tenderest sympathies of humanity.

After a journey of two miles they came out on a hay-track, that skirted
an extensive and level sweep of meadow, along which they proceeded
with as much speed as a pillionless midwife was capable of bearing.
At length, on a gentle declivity facing the south, they espied in the
distance the low, long, whitewashed farm-house of Fardorougha Donovan.
There was little of artificial ornament about the place, but much of the
rough, heart-stirring wildness of nature, as it appeared in a strong,
vigorous district, well cultivated, but without being tamed down by
those finer and more graceful touches, which nowadays mark the skilful
hand of the scientific agriculturist.

To the left waved a beautiful hazel glen, which gradually softened away
into the meadows above mentioned. Up behind the house stood an ancient
plantation of whitethorn, which, during the month of May, diffused its
fragrance, its beauty, and its melody, over the whole farm. The plain