Pat laughed at this, and they went out to join the ladies, who were seated under one of the big trees, talking to two men.
"Hullo!" said Bubbles; "where did these Johnnies spring from?" But Pat did not hear him, as he was running towards the taller of the two, and was soon shaking him heartily by the hand.
"My dear Ronald," he said, eagerly; "how are ye? I'm glad to have a look at ye again, and Foster, too. Oh, we are a happy family."
But neither Carmela nor Ronald looked very happy.
Pat introduced Bubbles, who speedily made himself at home, and both Foster and Ronald declining Mr. Ryan's hospitable invitation to drink, they all went over the bridge again to see the races.
A bright day, gaily dressed crowd, the broad, blue river crowded with crafts, and the green country and picturesque red-roofed houses on either side--nothing could be more delightful. Pat, Bubbles, and Foster, all ardent boating-men, shouted vociferously as the boats went shooting up the stream, their oars flashing in the sunlight.
And the cheers that rang through the air when the winning crew won by a boat's length were as hearty for the losers as for the victors.
Ronald, however, looked grave and haggard as he stood by Carmela's side watching the races. He kept glancing at her face, and saw that she, too, was pale and thin, while everyone else was bright and gay, enjoying the animated scene, only those two unhappy lovers were brooding over their sorrows.
"She could not have committed such a crime," thought Ronald, his eyes fixed absently on the bright waters.
"He can never believe that I am marrying my cousin willingly," she thought, with a sigh; "he must know that it's to save my sister."