“‘I gave t’other chap a shilling for his, frame and all, but I’ve got no more money,’ she continued, with an insinuating smile, which, as a man of gallantry, I could not resist. So I promised that, if she behaved herself properly, I would in all probability make her the present she coveted.
“‘You must come again to-morrow,’ I said, as we shook hands, ‘and I’ll finish the thing off.’
“’ All right, master, I’ll come.’
“And, with a nod and a bright smile, she walked away.
“During the whole of this interview, Tim had not been unobservant, and so soon as I was left alone he looked up from the work he was engaged upon, viz. potato-washing, and gave a knowing smile.
“‘Sure she’s a fine bold colleen,’ he said. ‘Does your honour know who she is?’
“‘I have not the slightest idea.’
“‘They’re saying down beyant that she’s a say-fondling, and has neither father nor mother, nor any belongings.’
“‘Pray who was your informant?’
“‘The man who picked her from the say—William Jones hisself.’