"Faith, and so am I glad of it--but what's to be done next, Val
darling?"

"Why the less time that's lost upon it the better--we must bring the
youngsters together till they get acquainted--then we can have another
meeting, and settle the match out of hand. Did you ever see Phil on
'Handsome Harry?'"

"Didn't I?--to be sure I did--and upon my word, Val, he's a credit to
the horse he rides, as the horse is to him--a comely couple they are in
truth. But, Val, or neighbor Val, as I now may call you, don't you think
it would be better to wind up this business now that our hand's in for
it? Let us hear what you'll do, and I'll follow you on my part, for
there's no use in losing time about it--upon my credit there's not."

"What would you think, then, of the farm we're in now--that is, the
O'Hagan property, as you call it? Suppose I gave him that, what will
you come down with for the girl? I know it can't be under three
hundred--come, say three hundred, and it's a match."

"Three hundred! Oh! Val, you're too soft--too moderate--too mild--indeed
you are--why three hundred would be nothing against the O'Hagan
property, as you call it--and, indeed, I don't intend to put my daughter
off under five hundred, and that's nearly double what three is--eh, Val,
what do you say, upon your credit now?"

"Faith, I'll not quarrel with you if you make it six or eight."

"Well now," said M'Loughlin, rising up, whilst his honest features were
lit with indignation, "this joke or this impudence on your part, has