"Then there's a pair of us rogues, Misther Dinis."

"No, no, Miss Norah; I was only feeling your cheek as a philosophical
experiment. Philosophers often do it, in order to make out an
hypothesis."

"Misther Dinis, if I'm not marrid till you're a priest, won't you say
the words for me for nothing?"

"So long as you ask it wid such a brilliant smiled Miss Norah, do
you think that any educated young man who has read about beauty an'
sentimentality in books, could refuse you? But you know, Miss Norah,
that the clergyman who marries a couple has always the right of kissing
the bride. Now I wouldn't claim my right then; but it might be possible
by a present compromise to--to----. What would you think, for instance,
to give me that now?"

"To give you what?"

"Why the----indeed it's but a slight recompense, the--k---- the
salutation--the kiss. You know what tasting the head means?"

"Faix, Misther Dinis, you're a great rogue. Who'd think it indeed? Sure
enough, they say smooth water runs deep! Why one 'ud suppose butther
wouldn't melt in your mouth to look at you; an' yet you want to be
toyin' wid the girls! Indeed an' faix, it's a great shame for the likes
o' you, that's bint on Maynooth, to be thinkin' of coortin' at all. But
wait! Upon my word, I'll have a fine story agin you, plase goodness!"

This latter threat the mischievous girl threw out with a grave face, in