"A very pretty song, Mr. Moore. It tells a beautiful story and points a splendid moral," said Lord Brooking.
"Yes, my lord," answered Moore, glancing toward Bessie. "It shows the folly of a poor girl in believing aught told her by a nobleman. It is as true nowadays as it was then."
"Oh, Tom," said the girl, tremulously. "It is beautiful. Is it not, Sir Percival?"
"Oh, very, very," replied the baronet. "Extremely so. I congratulate you, Mr. Moore."
"Have you reason to do so, Sir Percival?" asked Moore.
His question was answered immediately, for Bessie turned toward the gentleman addressed.
"I thank you, Sir Percival," she said, "but I fear London is not for such as father and me."
As Moore gave a sigh of relief and turned away, satisfied that he had foiled the baronet in his attempt to entice Bessie from Ireland, Farrell touched him on the arm and led him to one side.
"Will you meet me here, Tom, in half an hour?" he asked.
"Is it important, Terry?" demanded Moore, who intended to devote the rest of the afternoon to courting Bessie.