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banks。
Colonel O'Mara； the possessor of the
estates； was then in a declining state of
health； and absent with his lady from the
country； leaving at the castle； his son
young O'Mara； and a kind of humble
companion； named Edward Dwyer； who；
if report belied him not； had done in his
early days some PECULIAR SERVICES for the
Colonel； who had been a gay man
perhaps worsebut enough of recapitulation。
It was in the autumn of the year 17
that the events which led to the catastrophe
which I have to detail occurred。
I shall run through the said recital as
briefly as clearness will permit； and leave
you to moralise； if such be your mood；
upon the story of real life； which I even
now trace at this distant period not without
emotion。
It was upon a beautiful autumn evening；
at that glad period of the season when
the harvest yields its abundance； that
two figures were seen sauntering along
the banks of the winding river； which I
described as bounding the farm occupied
by Heathcote； they had been； as the rods
and landing…nets which they listlessly
carried went to show； plying the gentle；
but in this case not altogether solitary
craft of the fisherman。 One of those
persons was a tall and singularly handsome
young man； whose dark hair and
complexion might almost have belonged
to a Spaniard； as might also the proud but
melancholy expression which gave to his
countenance a character which contrasts
sadly； but not uninterestingly； with
extreme youth； his air； as he spoke with
his companion； was marked by that careless
familiarity which denotes a conscious
superiority of one kind or other； or which
may be construed into a species of
contempt； his comrade afforded to him in
every respect a striking contrast。 He
was rather low in staturea defect which
was enhanced by a broad and square…built
figurehis face was sallow； and his
features had that prominence and sharpness
which frequently accompany personal
deformitya remarkably wide mouth；
with teeth white as the fangs of a wolf；
and a pair of quick； dark eyes； whose
effect was heightened by the shadow of a
heavy black brow； gave to his face a
power of expression； particularly when
sarcastic or malignant emotions were to
be exhibited； which features regularly
handsome could scarcely have possessed。
'Well； sir；' said the latter personage；
'I have lived in hall and abbey； town
and country； here and abroad for forty
years and more； and should know a thing
or two； and as I am a living man； I
swear I think the girl loves you。'
'You are a fool； Ned；' said the
younger。
'I may be a fool；' replied the first
speaker； 'in matters where my own
advantage is staked； but my eye is keen
enough to see through the flimsy disguise
of a country damsel at a glance； and I
tell you； as surely as I hold this rod； the
girl loves you。'
'Oh I this is downright headstrong
folly；' replied the young fisherman。
'Why； Ned； you try to persuade me
against my reason； that the event which
is most to be deprecated has actually
occurred。 She is； no doubt； a pretty
girla beautiful girlbut I have not
lost my heart to her； and why should I
wish her to be in love with me？ Tush；
man； the days of romance are gone； and
a young gentleman may talk； and walk；
and laugh with a pretty country maiden；
and never breathe aspirations； or vows； or
sighs about the matter； unequal matches
are much oftener read of than made； and
the man who could； even in thought；
conceive a wish against the honour of
an unsuspecting； artless girl； is a villain；
for whom hanging is too good。'
This concluding sentence was uttered
with an animation and excitement； which
the mere announcement of an abstract
moral sentiment could hardly account
for。
'You are； then； indifferent； honestly
and in sober earnest； indifferent to the
girl？' inquired Dwyer。
'Altogether so；' was the reply。
'Then I have a request to make；'
continued Dwyer； 'and I may as well urge
it now as at any other time。 I have
been for nearly twenty years the faithful；
and by no means useless； servant of your
family； you know that I have rendered
your father critical and important
services' he paused； and added hastily：
'you are not in the moodI tire you；
sir。'
'Nay；' cried O'Mara； 'I listen patiently
proceed。'
'For all these services； and they were
not； as I have said； few or valueless； I
have received little more reward than
liberal promises； you have told me often
that this should be mendedI'll make it
easily doneI'm not unreasonableI
should be contented to hold Heathcote's
ground； along with this small farm on
which we stand； as full quittance of all
obligations and promises between us。'
'But how the devil can I effect that
for you； this farm； it is true； I； or my
father； rather； may lease to you； but
Heathcote's title we cannot impugn； and
even if we could； you would not expect
us to ruin an honest man； in order to
make way for YOU； Ned。'
'What I am；' replied Dwyer； with the
calmness of one who is so accustomed to
contemptuous insinuations as to receive
them with perfect indifference； 'is to be
attributed to my devotedness to your
honourable familybut that is neither
here nor there。 I do not ask you to
displace Heathcote； in order to made
room for me。 I know it is out of your
power to do so。 Now hearken to me for
a moment； Heathcote's property； that
which he has set out to tenants； is worth；
say in rents； at most； one hundred
pounds： half of this yearly amount is
assigned to your father； until payment be
made of a bond for a thousand pounds；
with interest and soforth。 Hear me
patiently for a moment and I have done。
Now go you to Heathcote； and tell him
your father will burn the bond； and cancel
the debt； upon one conditionthat when
I am in possession of this farm； which you
can lease to me on what terms you think
suitable； he will convey over his property
to me； reserving what life…interest may
appear fair； I engaging at the same time
to marry his daughter； and make such
settlements upon her as shall be thought
fittinghe is not a foolthe man will
close with the offer。'
O'Mara turned shortly upon Dwyer；
and gazed upon him for a moment with
an expression of almost unmixed resentment。
'How；' said he at length； 'YOU contract
to marry Ellen Heathcote？ the poor；
innocent； confiding； light…hearted girl。
No； no； Edward Dwyer； I know you too
well for thatyour services； be they what
they will； must not； shall not go unrewarded
your avarice shall be appeased
but not with a human sacrifice！ Dwyer；
I speak to you without disguise； you
know me to be acquainted with your
history； and what's more； with your
character。 Now tell me frankly； were I
to do as you desire me； in cool blood；
should I not prove myself a more
uncompromising and unfeel