"Thrath, and he did; it was himsilf that said niver a word when I was spaking to him about it, but was afther showering a blissing upon us, the dear sowl!"
"But what will the praste say? Biddy, sure he'll be very angry, intirely."
"Faith, and it's no longer ago than the day afther yesterday, that the misthress was saying if we confissed our sins with a right spirit, we should be afther being forgiven; and now, Pathrick, I'm thinking we 'll be afther getting married, and then there will be a plinty of time for confissing."
"Och, honey, and that's the thruth for ye," said the assenting Pat, and together they walked towards the cabin.
Winnie, putting that and that together, made up her mind that Patrick and Biddy had become tired of a life of single blessedness, and were seriously contemplating matrimony, which was, indeed the case; and Biddy, having made known her desires to her mistress, who saw no just cause why they should not be bound together in the holy bands of wedlock, the next Wednesday was set apart when Patrick and Biddy would be made husband and wife.
The day arrived, and Biddy, arrayed in her best snuff-color, with ribbons and laces to match, stood up with him of her choice, to pronounce those vows which should make them one, even though the ceremony should be performed by a Protestant.
"Will you take this woman to be your wedded wife?" spake the reverend gentleman, in a clear, distinct tone.
"Ah! kape on, kape on!" shouted the enraptured Pat; "don't be throublin yesilf with questions; dear knows it's mesilf that's in it;" and his smiling face was mirrored in numerous brass buttons, which were hanging around his buff vest.
As soon as the old gentleman could get his voice again, for the boisterous joy of Pat, be turned to the trembling Biddy.
"Do you take this man to be your lawful husband, and leaving all others, will you cleave unto him alone?"