The reasons why he, Owen Fitzgerald of Hap House, should not marry a daughter of an Earl of Desmond, seemed to her to be so conspicuous and conclusive, that it could hardly be necessary to enumerate them.

And such as they were, it might not be pleasant to announce them in his hearing.

But though Owen Fitzgerald was so evidently an unfit suitor for an earl's daughter, it might still be possible that he should be acceptable to an earl's widow.
Ah! if it might be possible to teach him the two lessons at the same time! "On what grounds, Mr.Fitzgerald!" she said, repeating his question; "surely I need hardly tell you.

Did not my son say the same thing to you yesterday, as he walked with you down the avenue ?" "Yes; he told me candidly that he looked higher for his sister; and I liked him for his candour.

But that is no reason that I should agree with him; or, which is much more important, that his sister should do so.