"No mistake at all, ma'am," Brian was beginning, with a bright backward glance at Elleney; but Mrs. McNally clutched him by the arm, looking so much disturbed the while, that the words died on his lips, and he suffered himself to be drawn along the passage and into the parlour. The others also melted away with many scornful murmurs and withering glances, all except Nanny, who hurled herself round the counter and caught Elleney in her arms.
"With his impident arm round Elleney's waist"
"Ye poor misfortunate innicent!" she exclaimed. "Why didn't ye tell him ye weren't rightly one o' the family?"
"He didn't give me time," faltered Elleney; adding with more spirit, "Besides, what matter if it's me he likes the best?"
"Bless us an' save us!" groaned Nanny; "sure how can ye get married when ye haven't so much as a one pound note o' your own?"
"Do you think he didn't know?" gasped Elleney, looking very blank.
"Not a know," responded Nanny, with decision. "My mother had a right to have told him, but some way not one of us dreamed of him thinkin' of you. Sure, girl alive, if he was willin' itself, his father 'ud never agree to his havin' ye."
"I s'pose not," said Elleney; "but ye don't know all he's afther sayin' to me, Nanny."
"Och, divil doubt him!" exclaimed Nanny, with a vexed laugh. "Sure, that's the way they all does be goin' on. If ye had more sense, Elleney, me dear, ye'd know how to be up to them. Whisht!—here's m'mah!"