order to bring Denis into a more ridiculous dilemma; for she saw clearly
that he labored under a heavy struggle between timidity and gallantry.
The ruse succeeded. Denis immediately changed his tone, and composed
his face into a grave admonitory aspect, nearly equal to a homily on
prudence and good conduct.

"Miss Norah," said he, "perhaps I acted wrong in carrying my trial
of your disposition too far. It's a thing, however, which we who are
intended for the church are ordered to do, that we may be able to
make out what are called in this very book you see wid me, cases of
conscience. But the task is now over, Miss Norah; and, in requital
for your extrame good nature, I am bound to administer to you a slight
lecture on decorum.

"In the first place, attend your duties regularly. I will soon be
goin' to Maynooth; an' as you are one of the girls for whom I have the
greatest regard, I will expect on my return to hear a good account
of you. It is possible that you'll be introduced in my absence to the
honors of matrimony; but even so, I know that peace, an' taciturnity,
an' submission will be your most signal qualifications. You will then be
in a situation equal to that of a Roman matron. As for us, Miss Norah,
we are subject to the dilapidations of occasional elevation.
The ambrosia of sentiment lies in our path. We care not for the
terrestrialities of life, when separated from the great principle of the
poet--

'_Omnia vincit amor, et nos cedamus amori_.'

That's Hebrew, Miss Norah!"