"You defy me, do you?"

"Yes, I have said it, I defy you."

"Well, then, so be it," he replied, "you must take the consequences,
that's all, and let your favorite, M'Carthy, look to himself too."

Having uttered these significant words, ha reentered the double ditch,
along which a common pathway went, and in a minute or two was out of
sight.

Mary, on her return, at once perceived, by the flushed cheek and kindled
eye of her sister, that something had discomposed her. "Why, goodness
me, dear Julia, you look disturbed or frightened; what is the matter?"

"Disturbed I am," she replied, "but not at all frightened. This worthy
lover of mine, whom nothing can abash, has honored me with another
interview."

"Is it after the scene between him and my brother to-day?"

"Certainly," she replied, with a smile, for she now began once more to
look upon the matter in a ludicrous point of view, "and has threatened
not only myself, but the whole family with destruction, unless I favor
his addresses--ha! ha! ha! He has one good quality in a lover, at all
events--perseverance."

"Say rather effrontery and impudence," replied Mary.