betther?"

"I am," replied the youth, "my head is a little confused, but I have no
pain."

Hugh raised his hands and streaming eyes to heaven.

"Thanks, thanks, oh thanks an' praise be to God for that news! thanks
an' praise be to you, blessed Father, for what he has said this minute,
for it takes the weight, the dead crushin' weight that lay on my heart,
off it. And now, Felix jewel, here, alanna, lay over your head upon my
breast, an' I'll hould you anything I whisper into your own ear what 'll
make you as stout as ever--keep away all of yees--the nerra one o' ye
'll hear it but himself. Sure, Felix dear," he continued, in a lower
voice, "sure I'm willin' that you should marry your own Alley Bawn. An'
listen, sure, I'll give her a portion myself--I'm able to do it an' I
will too."

Felix, on hearing her name, looked around and endeavored, as appeared by
his manner, to collect himself. He put his hand to his head for a moment
and his eyes were without meaning. Hugh observed it, and felt his grief
instantly checked by a fearful surmise as to a possible consequence of
the blow which he had not contemplated.

"Felix dear," said he in a voice low, hollow, and full of terror, "what
ails you? Is the pain coming back?"

Felix spoke not for about a minute, during which time he had become
quite collected. Then with an affectionate look towards his brother, he
replied--