''  So  was  it — when  she  rejected  you,"  re-echoed  Tiernay. "  When
poor,  she  refused  wealth  ;  when  friendless  in  all  that  friendship  can
profit,  she  declined  protection  ;  when  almost  homeless,  she  refused  a
home  ;  when  sought  by  one  whom  alone  of  all  the  world  she  preferred,
she  said  him,  nay !  It  was  at  that  moment  of  self-sacrifice,  when  she
abandoned  every  thought  of  present  happiness  and  of  future  hope,  and
devoted  herself  to  one  humble  but  holy  duty,  she  felt  the  ecstacy  of  a
martyr's  triumph. You  may  think  that  these  are  exaggerations,  and
that  I  reckon  at  too  exalted  a  standard  such  evidences  of  affection,  but  I
do  not  think  so. I  believe  that  there  is  more  courage  in  the  patient
submission  to  an  obscure  and  unnoticed  fortune  beset  with  daily  trials
and  privations,  than  in  braving  the  stake  or  the  scaffold,  with  human
sympathies  to  exalt  the  sacrifice."

"  But  I  offered  to  share  this  duty  with  her ;  to  be  a  son  to  him  whom
she  regarded  as  a  father."

"  How  little  you  know  of  the  cares,  the  thoughtful,  watchful,  anxious
cares,  you  were  wOling  to  share !  You  could  give  wealth  and  splendour,
it  is  true  ;  you  could  confer  all  the  blandishments  of  fortune,  all  the
luxuries  that  rich  men  command ;  but,  one  hour  of  gentle  solicitude  in
sickness — one  kind  look,  that  recalled  years  of  tenderness — one  accus-


KOLAND    CASHEL. 471

tomed  service,  the  tribute  of  affection — were  worth  aM  that  gold  could
purchase,  told  ten  times  over. And  these  are  not  to  be  acquired  ;  they
are  the  instincts  that,  born  in  childhood,  grow  strong  with  years,  till  at
length  they  form  that  atmosphere  of  love  in  which  parents  live  among
their  children. No !  Mary  felt  that  it  were  a  treason  to  rob  her  poor
old  grandfather  of  even  a  thought  that  should  be  his."

"  But,  I  repeat  it,"  cried  Cashel,  passionately ;  "  I  would  participate
in  every  care ;  I  would  share  her  duties,  as  she  should  share  my
fortunes."

"  And  what  guarantee  did  you  give  for  your  fitness  to  such  a  task?"
said  Tiemay. 