Vanston, the Tory candidate, who
never in his life voted for your religion or your liberty?"
"Do you mane me, dearest Kathleen?"
"You, certainly; who else could I mean when I ask you the question?"
"Why, I never promised to vote for Vanston," he replied; "an' what is
more--but who said I did?"
"On the day before yesterday," she proceeded, "two gentlemen came to our
house to canvass votes, and they stated plainly that you had promised to
vote for them--that is for Vanston."
"Well, Kathleen, all I can say is, that the statement is not true.
I didn't promise for Vanston, and they did not even ask me. Are you
satisfied now? or whether will you believe them or me?"
"I am satisfied, dear Bryan; I am more than satisfied; for my heart
is easy. Misfortune! what signifies mere misfortune, or the loss of a
beggarly farm?"
"But, my darling Kathleen, it is anything but a beggarly farm."
Kathleen, however, heard him not, but proceeded. "What signifies
poverty, Bryan, or struggle, so long as the heart is right, and the
conscience clear and without a spot? Nothing--oh, nothing! As God is to
judge me, I would rather beg my bread with you as an honest man, true,
as I said awhile ago, to your God and your religion, than have an estate
by your side, if you could prove false to either."
The vehemence with which she uttered these sentiments, and the fire
which animated her whole mind and manner, caused them to pause again,
and Bryan, to whom this high enthusiasm was perfectly new, now saw with
something like wonder, that the tears were flowing down her cheeks.
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