As for the property, I tell you there'll be little left the way you're
going on. And as to that, I'll tell you what I'm going to do; so, mind,
I warn you beforehand. You're not able--that is, you're too foolish and
weak-headed to manage it yourself; and I mean, as your guardian, to put
it into the hands of those that shall manage it for you. I'm not going
to see you robbed and duped, and myself destroyed by such fellows as
Moylan, and a crew of huxtering blackguards down in Dunmore. And now,
tell me at once, what's this I hear about you and the Kellys?"

"What Kellys?" said Anty, blushing deeply, and half beside herself with
fear--for Barry's face was very red, and full of fierce anger, and his
rough words frightened her.

"What Kellys! Did you ever hear of Martin Kelly? d----d young robber
that he is!" Anty blushed still deeper--rose a little way from the
sofa, and then sat down again. "Look you here, Anty--I'll have the
truth out of you. I'm not going to be bamboozled by such an idiot as
you. You got an old man, when he was dying, to make a will that has
robbed me of what was my own, and now you think you'll play your own
low game; but you're mistaken! You've lived long enough without a
husband to do without one now; and I can tell you I'm not going to see
my property carried off by such a low, paltry blackguard as Martin
Kelly."

"How can he take your property, Barry?" sobbed forth the poor creature,
who was, by this time, far gone in tears.

"Then the long and the short of it is, he shan't have what you call
yours. Tell me, at once, will you--is it true, that you've promised to
marry him?"