The Real Charlotte. 275 



grew old, and the service passed over her head with a 

 vaguely pleasing effect of music and light. As she came 

 out into the dark lofty porch, a man stepped forward to 

 meet her. Francie started violently. 



*' Oh, goodness gracious ! " she cried, '* you frightened 

 my life out ! " 



But for all that, she was glad to see Mr Lambert. 



CHAPTER XXXVII. 



That evening when Mrs. Fitzpatrick was puttmg on her 

 best cap and her long cameo ear-rings she said to her 

 husband : 



" Well now, Robert, you mark my words, he's after her." 



" Tchah ! " replied Mr. Fitzpatrick, who was not in a 

 humour to admit that any woman could be attractive, owing 

 to the postponement of his tea by his wife so that cakes 

 might be baked in Mr. Lambert's honour ; " you can't see 

 a man without thinking he's in love with someone 01 

 other." 



"I suppose you think it's to see yourself he's come all 

 the way from Lismoyle," rejoined Mrs. Fitzpatrick with 

 becoming spirit, " and says he's going to stop at Breslin's 

 Hotel for a week ? " 



" Oh, very well, have it your own way," said Mr. Fitz- 

 patrick acrimoniously, " I suppose you have it all settled, 

 and he'll be married to her by special Hcense before the 

 week's out." 



"Well, I don't care, Robert, you wouldn't think to Icok 

 at him that he'd only buried his wife four months and a 

 half ago— though I will say he's in deep mourning — but for 

 all that no one'd blame him that he didn't think much of 

 that poor creature, and 'twould be a fine match for Francie 

 if she'd take him." 



"Would she take him!" echoed Mr. Fitzpatrick scorn- 

 fully; "would a duck swim? I never saw the woman yet 

 that wouldn't half hang herself to get married ! " 



"Ah, have done being so cross, Robert, Christmas day 

 and all ; I wonder you married at all since you think so 

 little of women." 



