92 The Procraslinator. [JAN. 



truth, very old mid-way in her dotage, and cankered in her temper ; 

 these added to the advantages which a Scotch education gives over an 

 Irish one rendered her an object of respect and mistrust. She soon 

 passed from Morty 's sight, and while he was yet wondering what she 

 could be gathering at that hour, the old creature entered the dining- 

 room, with an almost noiseless step. Her clean white apron was nearly 

 filled with grass and tangled weeds ; and her eye, still clear and blue, 

 had in it more of light than it usually possessed. " Said ye na'," she 

 commenced, "said ye na', Morty, that a bonny bride was coming 

 hame this bra' winter's night ; and did ye na' think to pu' the flowers 

 to mak' her welcome ; ken ye na' the song ? 



' The primrose I will pu', the firstling o' the year, 



And I will pu' the pink, the emblem o' my dear, 

 For she's the pink o* womankind, and blooms without a peer, 

 And a' to be a posie to my ain dear May/ " 



< Whisht with ye'r ballads, agra !" interrupted the steward ; " it's ill 

 in such an ould crathur as you to be tuning up love songs it's like sun- 

 beams sparkling on skulls and cross bones, Lord save us ! So be off 

 to ye'r prayers, Milly, honey. Sure there are no flowers now going at 

 all, machree !" The sibyl heeded him not ; but seating herself in one 

 of the arm-chairs near the fire, continued chaunting snatches of old bal* 

 lads, and apparently arranging the offering she deemed it right to make 

 to her nursling's bride. Morty had just determined upon a gentle method 

 of dislodging her, when the clatter of horses, and the sound of carriage- 

 wheels, called him and the other domestics to the steps of Castle Mount 

 Doyne. 



Mr. Mount Doyne had experienced no mischance on his journey until 

 he arrived nearly at the termination of his own avenue. Morty, we have 

 already seen, did not deserve to be numbered amongst unfaithful 

 stewards ; but yet, " somehow," it never occurred to him that the old 

 trees, which had been felled for fire-wood, could impede the progress 

 of his master's carriage, although they had fallen directly across the 

 road, where, of course, after the Irish fashion, they would remain to be 

 used when wanted by the servants or indeed the neighbours, and 

 neighbours' childer, who might feel inclined to cut them up for the pur- 

 pose ; over these trees, nevertheless, the carriage upset, and Mr. Doyne, 

 in no very gentle temper, carried his young and lovely wife, almost in 

 a state of insensibility, into the hall, where she again ran the risk of her 

 life, and narrowly escaped suffocation from the smell of burnt feathers 

 and whisky. 



" Blessings upon her sweet face ;" " Long life and prosperity to the 

 both sure they're a beautiful pair ;" " Long may they live to reign over 

 us ;" " May their bed be made soft in heaven yet, I pray God " " May 

 they never know sin or sorrow ;" " May God's fresh blessing be about 

 them/' were a few of the warm and affectionate salutations which 

 awaited Mr. Mount Doyne and his bride ; and from many glad hearts 

 and cheerful voices did the wishes proceed ; night though it was, all 

 the peasantry, who had heard the rumour of his arrival, had crowded 

 down to the hall, in anticipation of seeing " the young masther." But 

 where was Milly Eldred ? 



When Mrs. Doyne was completely restored, her husband led her 

 into the dining-room ; there the old nurse met them, and flinging her 



