"The Lord be good to us, ma'am! And what took you to that fearsome place—in such weather, too? Couldn't you have got shelter anywhere else?"
She was quite pale at the thought.
"I went purposely, Mrs. Meehan; for I had made up my mind to ask him for Winifred."
"To ask him for Winifred!" she echoed in astonishment. Then her manner showed something of offence. "It was in my charge the colleen was left," she declared; "and 'tis I, and not Niall of the hill, that has the say about her."
"But I was sure of your consent already," said I, quietly.
"And what made you sure of it, axin' your pardon for the question?"
"Your intelligence, your love for the girl, and your fear of Niall's influence over her."
She seemed mollified, and I went on:
"Your intelligence will show you it is for the best, your love for Winifred will make you wish the best for her, while your fear of Niall—"