Bryan has
proved false and a traitor; he voted for Vanston yesterday, and that
vote has put the bitter enemy of our faith into Parliament."
"Bryan M'Mahon a traitor!" exclaimed Kathleen; "no, Hanna--no, I
say--a thousand times no. It could not be--the thing is
impossible--impossible!"
"It is as true as God's in heaven, that he voted yesterday for Vanston,"
said her father; "I both seen him and heard him, an' that vote it was
that gained Vanston the election."
Hanna, whose arms were still around her sister's neck, felt her stagger
beneath her on hearing those words from her father.
"You say you saw him, father, and h'ard him vote for Vanston. You say
you did?"
"I both seen the traitor an' h'ard him," replied the old man.
"Hanna, dear, let me sit down," said Kathleen, and Hanna, encircling her
with one hand, drew a chair over with the other, on which, with a cheek
pale as death, her sister sat, whilst Hanna still wept with her arms
about her. After a long silence, she at last simply said:--
"I must bear it; but in this world my happiness is gone."
"Don't take it so much to heart avourneen," said her mother; "but, any
way, hadn't you betther see himself, an' hear what he has to say for
himself. Maybe, afther all, it's not so bad as it looks. See him,
Kathleen; maybe there's not so much harm in it yet.
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