Mrs.Davis, however, was much too sharp, and so also we may say was Miss Geraghty, to be deceived.

They well knew that such a young man as Charley would go wherever his inclination led him.

Till lately it had been all but impossible to get him out of the little back parlour at the 'Cat and Whistle'; now it was nearly as difficult to get him into it.

They both understood what this meant.
'You'd better take up with Peppermint and have done with it,' said the widow.

'What's the good of your shilly-shallying till you're as thin as a whipping-post?
If you don't mind what you're after he'll be off too.' 'And the d---- go along with him,' said Miss Geraghty, who had still about her a twang of the County Clare, from whence she came.
'With all my heart,' said Mrs.Davis; 'I shall save my hundred pounds: but if you'll be led by me you'll not throw Peppermint over till you're sure of the other; and, take my word for it, you're----' 'I hate Peppermint.' 'Nonsense; he's an honest good sort of man, and a deal more likely to keep you out of want than the other.' Hereupon Norah began to cry, and to wipe her beautiful eyes with the glass-cloth.