Upon my soul, putting religion out of the question, one would think that, in other respects, they were made for each other.

But it's all this cursed pride of his that prevents him; as if it signified what any person's religion is, provided he's an honest man, and a loyal subject." He thus proceeded with his soliloquy until he reached the garden, where he found Reilly and her arranging the plants and flowers in a superb green-house.
"Well, Helen, my love, how is the greenhouse doing?
Eh! why, what is this ?" At this exclamation the lovers started, but the old fellow was admiring the improvement, which even he couldn't but notice.
"Why, what is this ?" he proceeded; "by the light of day, Helen, you have made this a little paradise of flowers." "It was not I, papa," she replied; "all that I have been able to contribute to the order; and beauty of the place has been very slight indeed.

It is all the result of this poor man's taste and skill.

He's an admirable botanist." "By the great Boyne, my girl, I think he could lick Malcomson himself, as a botanist." "Shir," observed Reilly, "the young lady is underwaluin' herself; sure, miss, it was yourself directed me what to do, and how to do it." "Look at that old chap, Helen," said her father, who felt in great good humor; first, because he found that Helen was safe; and again, because Sir Robert, as the unsuspecting old man thought, had cleared up the circumstances of Miss Herbert's imposture; "I say, Helen, look at that old chap: isn't he a nice bit of goods to run away with a pretty girl?
and what a taste she must have had to go with him! Upon my soul, it beats cock-fighting--confound me, but it does." [Illustration PAGE 115--Isn't he a nice bit of goods to run away with a pretty girl ?] Helen's face became crimson as he spoke; and yet, such was the ludicrous appearance which Reilly made, when put in connection with the false scent on which her father was proceeding at such a rate, and the act of gallantry imputed to him, that a strong feeling of humor overcame her, and she burst into a loud ringing laugh, which she could not, for some time, restrain; in this she was heartily joined by her father, who laughed till the tears came down his cheeks.
"And yet, Helen--ha--ha--ha, he's a stalwart old rogue still, and must have been a devil of a tyke when he was young." After another fit of laughter from both father and daughter, the squire said: "Now, Helen, my love, go in.

I have good news for you, which I will acquaint you with by and by." When she left the garden, her father addressed Reilly as follows: "Now, my good fellow, will you tell me how you came to know about Miss Herbert having been seduced by Sir Robert Whitecraft ?" "Fvhy, shir, from common report, shir." "Is that all?
But don't you think," he replied, "that common report is a common liar, as it mostly has been, and is, in this case.