214 T^^^ ^^^^ Charlotte, 



" Blast his sowl ! " interjected Norry, who was peeling 

 onions with furious speed. 



" I know there's manny would be thankful to take the 

 grazing," continued Julia, passing a dingy pocket handker- 

 chief over her forehead ; " but who knows when I'd be paid 

 for it, and Lambert will have me out on the road before 

 that if I don't give him the rent." 



Norry looked to see whether both the kitchen doors were 

 shut, and then, putting both her hands on the table, leaned 

 across towards her cousin. 



" Herself wants it," she said in a whisper. 



" Wants what ? What are you saying ? " 



" Wants the farm, I tell ye, and it's her that's driving 

 Lambert." 



*' Is it Charlotte Mullen ? " asked Julia, in a scarcely 

 audible voice. 



" Now ye have it," said Norry, returning to her onions, 

 and shutting her mouth tightly. 



The cockatoo gave a sudden piercing screech, like a 

 note of admiration. Julia half got up, and then sank back 

 into her chair. 



" Are ye sure of that ? " 



" As sure as I have two feet," replied Norry, '* and I'll 

 tell ye what she's afther it for. It's to go live in it, and to 

 let on she's as grand as the other ladies in the counthry." 



Julia clenched the bony, discoloured hand that lay on the 

 table. 



** Before I saw her in it I'd burn it over my 

 head ! " 



" Not a word out o' ye about what I tell ye," went on 

 Norry in the same ominous whisper. " Shure she have it 

 all mapped this minnit, the same as a pairson'd be makin' a 

 watch. She's sthriving to make a match with young Misther 

 Dysart and Miss Francie, and b'leeve you me, 'twill be a 

 quare thing if she'll let him go from her Sure he's the 

 gentlest crayture ever came into a house, and he's that 

 innocent he wouldn't think how cute she was. If ye'd seen 

 her, ere yestherday, follying him down to the gate, and she 

 smilin' up at him as sweet as honey ! The way it'll be, 

 she'll sell Tally Ho house for a fortune for Miss Francie, 

 though, indeed, it's little fortune himselfU ax ! " 



