stern and rugged as it was, very sensibly; and he exclaimed to his niece: "What a delightful place, my Isabella! No wonder you are attached to it, and resist all my invitations to Glen-Arib. Yet Glen-Arib once possessed beauties that might have vied even with these; but that was when your grandmother presided over it, as the Genius of taste, and impressed regularity, comeliness, and beauty around our dwelling, which is now an absolute wilderness of deformities. Ah! my dear niece, when I was young, like you, I had scenes beauteous even as these to enjoy, and leisure, and relish, and virtue, and friendship-a brother's friendship, a father's care, a mother's tendernessand I might have been happy-and methinks now, that I then was happy; for the hand of time has shaded over thè rougher points of that restless ambition which, I confess, disturbed even the tranquillity of my boyish days; and I am, at this moment, more clearly than ever presented with the view of those bright visions of expectation which were then brighter, and those sweet scenes of real enjoyment which were then sweeter, than either have been since. You are yet young, my love, and you are happy. Be conscious of that happiness, and long may you enjoy it! Ah! may you never have occasion, like me, to feel that length of years is increase of care; and that experience VOL. I. P of the world only excites desires, and suggests undertakings, which its perverseness dooms to disappointment, and converts into sorrow!" But abandoning the sentimental strain, which he never could bear long to indulge, he suddenly changed the tone and subject of his conversation, by observing: "My dear niece, I was induced to visit you, at present, by a particular business which much concerns you. Let me ask you, what I hope will not be considered an impertinent question from your nearest paternal relative; have you not lately received some offers for settling in life?" "I cannot properly answer that question," she replied; "but I may say that I have received no offers which I can accept." "I wish you to be ingenuous, my love-for I may surely claim the privilege of advising you on such a subject. Has not a certain magistrate, of respectable standing and considerable wealth, made proposals to you ?" "Whatever proposals of the kind were made, they have been unhesitatingly and decisively rejected," replied Isabella. "I hope, not decisively, my child; for the establishment would surely be eligible; neither do I see any thing in the man that can be displeasing to a lady's eye." "The establishment I do not take into the account; and as to the man, he may be pleasing or displeasing, as one chooses to view him; but from his addresses I have derived no pleasure." "Your mind may change, however; and I should rejoice much if you could encourage his suit; for I would, indeed, be happy to see you so well settled, as to be the wife of so worthy and respectable a character." "My dear uncle," she replied," I doubt not your good intentions towards me; and really believe that your advice on this matter originates from a desire to see me happy. If such be your desire, my yielding to your advice respecting this man, would produce a woful disappointment-for as his wife, I assure you, I feel that I could never be happy. Why I so feel, I acknowledge that it is difficult, but I trust also, that it is unnecessary to explain. And I hope, that as I have been thus explicit with you, your good sense and kindness will prevent you from continuing the subject." "Since it is so disagreeable to you, my niece, I shall discontinue it, for the present; although I hope that you will yourself in time see the propriety of adopting my counsel." They now returned to the house: and Munn was convinced that, in her present tone of mind, he could do nothing for his friend Onsley. The next day he took leave of his interesting niece, and her venerable relatives; and returned to Glen-Arib, to make arrangements for his journey southwards. Previous to his setting off, however, he swore upwards of fifty Glen-Arib men into the association of the HEARTS OF STEEL, besides making a number of proselytes in other parts of the country. He then wrote to Douglas of his success in the cause, and informed him of his intended journey being undertaken with a design to ascertain the dispositions of the people of the South, and, in other particulars, to subserve the great end they had in view,-of inflicting vengeance on oppressors. Dennis M'Clurkin was desirous to accompany him; but, as he intended to travel incognito, and under an assumed name, that he might make his observations to more advantage, he dispensed with his attendance. Accordingly, having disburthened his conscience of what sins he thought proper to confess; and having told his beads, and pronounced his paternoster, nine times over, by way of penance for concealing the remainder, he received Priest O'Cassidy's benediction, accompanied with a thorough ablution of aqua sancta, and departed with a light heart, and a courageous spirit, to visit the soil that had once belonged to his fathers, and which he still looked upon as his own rightful inheritance. CHAPTER XIII. Courage, my boys!—a garland for the winner! M'CARROCHER. FREDERICK ROSENDALE, whom it is hoped the reader has not yet forgotten, had been three months a soldier, when he was despatched at the head of a party of his regiment to Athlone. As he had permission to take the route past his brother's residence, and to remain there a few days, he directed his march thither, and arrived on the 30th of June, O. S. the eve of the anniversary of the battle of the Boyne. It was then the custom of all, as it still is of many protestant families of distinction in Ireland, to celebrate this anniversary with great pomp and festivity. Frederick, therefore, took this opportunity to add to the rejoicings at his brother's residence the splendour of military parade. The day was ushered in with the ringing of bells, |