consultation on the subject between the two and Martin's mother, in
which it was agreed that the Doctor should go up to Dunmore House, and
tell Barry exactly the state of affairs.

"And good news it'll be for him," said Mrs Kelly; "the best he heard
since the ould man died. Av he had his will of her, she'd niver rise
from the bed where she's stretched. But, glory be to God, there's a
providence over all, and maybe she'll live yet to give him the go-by."

"How you talk, mother," said Martin; "and what's the use? Whatever he
wishes won't harum her; and maybe, now she's dying, his heart'll be
softened to her. Any way, don't let him have to say she died here,
without his hearing a word how bad she was."

"Maybe he'd be afther saying we murdhered her for her money," said the
widow, with a shudder.

"He can hardly complain of that, when he'll be getting all the money
himself. But, however, it's much betther, all ways, that Doctor
Colligan should see him."

"You know, Mrs Kelly," said the Doctor, "as a matter of course he'll be
asking to see his sister."

"You wouldn't have him come in here to her, would you?--Faix, Doctor
Colligan, it'll be her death out right at once av he does."

"It'd not be nathural, to refuse to let him see her," said the Doctor;
"and I don't think it would do any harm: but I'll be guided by you, Mrs
Kelly, in what I say to him."