These last words produced an approving shuffling of feet in one
corner of the room, and seeing that nothing more was going to
happen, the villagers got up and they went out very slowly, the
women curtseying and the men lifting their caps to the priest as
they passed him.

He had signed to Ned and Mary that he wished to speak to them, and
after he had spoken to Ned he called Kate and reminded her that he
had not seen her at confession lately.

"Pat Connex and Peter M'Shane, now don't you be going. I will have
a word with you presently." And while Kate tried to find an excuse
to account for her absence from confession, the priest called to
Ned and Mary, who were talking at a little distance. He told them
he would be waiting for them in church tomorrow, and he said he
had never made a marriage that gave him more pleasure. He alluded
to the fact that they had come to him. He was responsible for this
match, and he accepted the responsibility gladly. His uncle, the
Vicar-General, had delegated all the work of the parish to him.

"Father Stafford," he said abruptly, "will be very glad to hear of
your marriage, Kate Kavanagh."

"My marriage," said Kate .... "I don't think I shall ever be
married."

"Now, why do you say that?" said the priest. Kate did not know why
she had said that she would never be married. However, she had to
give some reason, and she said:--