much of her exquisite limbs as the pretty liberal fashion of the day
allowed; her bust was perfection; and, as her black, natural ringlets
fluttered about her milk-white neck and glowing countenance, she not
only appeared inexpressibly beautiful, but seemed to feel conscious
of that beauty, as was evident by a dash of pride--very charming,
indeed--which shot from her eye, and mantled on her beautiful cheek.

"Why, Charles," exclaimed Woodward, addressing his brother in a whisper,
"who is that lovely peasant girl?"

"Her father is one of our tenants," replied Charles; "and she was about
to be married some time ago, but it was discovered, fortunately in time,
that her intended husband was head and leader of the outlaws that infest
the country. It was he, I believe, that leaped over the bonfire."

"Was she fond of him?"

"Well, it is not easy to say that; some say she was, and others that
she was not. Barney Casey says she was very glad to escape him when he
became an outlaw."

"By the way, where is Barney? I haven't seen him since I came to look at
this nonsense."

"Just turn your eye to the farthest corner of the room, and you may see
him in his glory."

On looking in the prescribed direction, there, sure enough, was Barney
discovered making love hard and fast to a pretty girl, whom Woodward
remembered to have seen that morning in Mr. Goodwin's, and with whom