“ ‘What will be done for a ring?’ sobbed Mrs. Considine.
“I had picked up the one I struck from the hand of that wicked man, and said so.
“ ‘Use his ring!’ exclaimed Philip; and he flung it into the fire.
“ ‘Oh, the sinful waste!’ screamed old Considine; ‘it was pure gold.’
“He would have raked the fire out to find it, but the priest commanded him to be still. Oh, but he’s a fine man; only terrible in anger. Aunt, I’ll tell you the truth; if I had a very heavy sin, it’s not to him I’d go.
“ ‘The key of the door will do as well,’ he said; ‘it’s the sign of the Eternal Union we want, nothing more.’ No one gainsaid him, and in another five minutes they were bound together in the sight of God and man.
“ ‘And now for her fortune, Mr. Considine,’ said the good priest, so considerate.
“The young smith stood straighter than ever on the floor; straight and firm. With one arm he drew his little bride to his heart, the other he held out.
“ ‘It would all feel to me like a dream,’ he said, ‘but for this.’ He pressed her more closely to him, bent down and kissed her.
“ ‘Keep your money, Mr. Considine; cross or coin of yours, sir, I’ll never touch. Mary was all I ever cared for, and only this blessed morning did I learn that it has pleased God to give me what you think so much of. Mary, your husband has five hundred good pounds of his own: keep your money, Mr. Considine, I never cared for it; but I must say—’