The reader is already acquainted with the allusion made by Maura to the
"dacent and purty girl that hasn't a stain upon her name, or upon the
name of one of her seed, breed, or generation." This "purty" girl is no
other than Alley Bawn Murray; and although Maura, from a sheer spirit
of contradiction, spoke of her to Hugh in a favorable point of view, yet
nothing could be more obstinately bitter than her opposition to such a
match on the part of Felix.

This, however, is human nature. To those who cannot understand such a
character, we offer no apology--to the few who do, none is necessary.

The courtship of Alley Bawn and Felix had arrived, on the fair-day of
Ballaghmore, to a crisis which required decision on the part of the
wooer. They went in, as we have shown the reader, to a public-house.
Their conversation, which was only such as takes place in a thousand
similar instances, we do not mean to detail. It was tender and firm on
the part of Felix, and affectionate between him and her. With that high
pride, which is only another name for humility, she urged him to
forget her, "if it was not plasin' to his frinds. You know, Felix," she
continued, "that I am poor and you are rich, an' I wouldn't wish to be
dragged into a family that couldn't respect me."

"Alley dear," replied Felix, "I know that both Hugh and Maura love me in
their hearts; and although they make a show of anger in the beginnin',
yet they'll soon soften, and will love you as they do me."

"Well, Felix," replied Alley, "my mother and you are present; if my
mother says I ought----"

"I do, darling," said her mother; "that is, I can't feel any particular