THE LEGEND OF ROSE ROCHE. 283 



took advantage of a loose parchment, which should have 

 bound her better? Is it that the Lord of Dhu Castle was 

 once a page ? What was thy ancestor, De Moore, (I mean 

 not to offend thee,) but usher to the Lord Justice ? and 

 thine, Mandeville, but chamber-groom to Strongbow ? Ayl- 

 mer, I love thee too well to envy thee thy good fortune : 

 thy lute has won the lady thy lance must keep her lands. 

 Kneel down, minstrel no longer rise up, my own knight 

 banneret ! And now, Lords of the Pale, Henry himself 

 could not confer a nobler dignity ; for O'Connor's knight is 

 standard-bearer to the King of Connaught ! Does any here 

 gainsay his rank and dignity? The sword that conferred 

 the honour is ready and able to maintain it !" And O'Con- 

 nor, as he ended, flung belt and rapier on the table. 



But none seemed disposed to quarrel with him : and 

 gradually they followed his example, and admitted the lady's 

 right of choice. The mirth and feasting were resumed ; 

 and each, after reasoning with himself, finding that the 

 chances of individual success were greatly against him, 

 became reconciled to lose the lady and her lands. Before 

 midnight struck, the Prior performed the marriage ceremony ; 

 and while O'Connor bestowed the beauteous bride, De Moore 

 himself attended upon the fortunate minstrel. 



Nor did Sir Aylmer Mowbray disappoint his patron's 

 expectation. As his lute was sweetest in the bower, his 

 plume was foremost in the field. He held the possessions he 

 gained by his lady against every claimant ; sons and daughters 

 blessed his bed, and transmitted his titles and estates to 

 posterity : and thus, more than one powerful house traces its 

 lineage back to an " eleve" of the Ursulines and the black-eyed 

 Page. 



CHAPTER XXXV. 



Mountain loughs Trout Their varieties Otter haunt The upper lake 

 Goose-fishing Weather breaks Prospects of leaving the cabin 

 Traits of character Crimes Abduction Causes Murder Why pre- 

 valent Distillation ; its extent and cause. A peasant's ruin. 



THE fishing party had been successful, and returned late 

 in the evening with two baskets of trout, which, although of 



