Hard You’re a fool. I told you that I was bethrothed to the richest heiress in Kerry; her fortune alone can save us from ruin. To-night my mother discovered my visits here, and I told her who you were.
Eily Oh! what did she say?
Hard It broke her heart.
Eily Hardress! is there no hope?
Hard None. That is none—that—that I can name.
Eily There is one—I see it.
Hard There is. We were children when we were married, and I could get no priest to join our hands but one, and he had been disgraced by his bishop. He is dead. There was no witness to the ceremony but Danny Mann—no proof but his word, and your certificate.
Eily [Takes paper from her breast.] This!
Hard Eily! if you doubt my eternal love, keep that security; it gives you the right to the shelter of my roof; but oh! if you would be content with the shelter of my heart.
Eily And will it save ye, Hardress? And will your mother forgive me?