Willy Reilly / The Works of William Carleton, Volume One

ppearance of His

g her-against his heart, the pulsations of which were going at a tremendous speed. There was, in fact, something so soft, so pitiable, so beautiful, and at the same time so exquisitely pure and fragrant, in this lovely creature, as her head lay drooping on his shoulder, her pale cheek literally lying against his, that it is not at all to be wondered at that the beatings of his heart were accelerated to an unusual degree. Now she, from her position upon his bosom, necessarily felt this rapid action of its tenant; when, therefore, her father, after her recovery, on reciting for her the fearful events of the evening, and dwelling upon Reilly's determination and courage, expressed ala

he times. His father had made a good deal of money abroad in business, but feeling that melancholy longing for his native soil, for the dark mountains and the green fields of his beloved country, he returned to it, and having taken a large farm of about a thousand acres, under a peculiar tenure, which we shall mention ere we close, he devoted himself to pasturage and agriculture. Old Reilly had been for some years dead, and his eldest son, William, was now not only the head of his immediate family, but of that great branch of it to which he belonged, although he neither claimed nor exercised the honor. In Reilly, many of those irreconcilable points of character, which s

ulness of his proportions and the prodigious muscular power which lay under such deceptive elegance. As for his features, they were replete with that manly expression which changes with, and becomes a candid exponent of, every feeling that influences the heart. His mouth was fine, and his full red lips exquisitely chiselled; his chin was full of firmness; and his large dark eyes, though soft, mellow, and insinuating, had yet

beauty, as well as that of the ever-memorable

those who did not know him, and who were acquainted through common report only with his unmitigated abuse of Popery, he was looked upon as an oppressive and overbearing tyrant, who would enforce, to the furthest possible stretch of severity, the penal enactments then in existence against Roman Catholics. And this, indeed, was true

ntly in a state of abstraction, and, on more than one occasion, found herself incapable of answering several questions which he put to her. Ever and anon the timid, blushing glance was directed at Reilly, by wh

and it is to you, Willy, we owe it. Come, man, take

nt, had followed her eyes,

girl has lost her hearing. I say, Helen, isn't Willy Reilly her

hole neck and face on hearing this

g, have you n

I might give an opinion on that subje

ould give more than I'll mention that Sir Hobert Whitecraft was as good-looking a speci

, to the moral feelings and prin

ary, sober, grave, silent-a little too much so, by the way-cautious, prudent, and saving. No man knows the value of money better, nor can contrive to make it go further. Then, as for managing a bargain-upon my soul, I don't think he treated me well, though, in the swop of 'Hop-and-go-constant' against my precious bit of blood, 'Pat the Spanker.' He made me pay him twenty-five pounds boot for an old-But yo

ce, sir," observed Reilly, glancing at Miss

ious, with something about him, say, of

smile of arch humor, which, to Reilly

u have gone; but I trust you will f

ers, because Helen seems to like them-they are a little round or so. I, myself, wish to goodness they were somewh

the description, in which, to tell the truth, she was joined by Reilly. The old man himself, from s

complexion is of a-a-no matter-of a good standing color, at all events; his nose, I grant you, is as thin, and m

was the worst feature in his face, although

eard it, but I'll tell him-there's a complimen

s sigh would escape from her, such a sigh as induced him to infer that some hidden care was at work with her heart. This he at once imputed

and finish as yo

He is a little close about the knees, Mr. R

is daughter, who, for the life of he

er, let me go on-close about the knees, but that's a proof of s

s arms,

of his daughter, "not a bad sign that, and yet she pretends not to care about

s arms,

part of the subject-they are an awful length, Willy, I grant. I

greater advantage in

n my soul Willy, I know no

does hims

e has a neck that always betokens true blood, long and thin like that of a racer. Altogether he's

en, "in the enthusiasm of your descri

ny minute points can you

ome, Willy, help yourself"-and he pus

g you to remain so; and why, on putting the glass to his lips, did his large dark eyes rest upon her with that deep and melting glance? Why, too, was that glance ret

ne old family, and with an estate of twelve thousand a year-w

ion, sir, I think so," replied Reilly in a tone of slight sar

Willy-says. The fact is, I'll call you nothing but W

pa-and understan

ar-and has money lent out at every ra

der him as interesting

e when you speak to the contrary-don't you call the curve on his shoulde

at I should withdraw,

se to ope

ow," she added, "that the great object of your life is to make your Cooleen Bawn happy-and in doing so, dear papa-th

ght, my

, I fear you must think me ungrateful; I have not yet thanked you for the service-the service indeed so important that no language could find expression for it-which you have rendered to dear

would say that you overrate what I have done this evening. But I confess I am myself now forced to see the value of my services, and I thank heaven for having made me

s. "Good-night, sir," she said. "I am utterly incapable of thank

wn pressing it, he knew not how nor wherefore, at least he thought so at the time; that is to say, if he were capable of thinking distinctly of any thing. But heaven and earth! Was it true! No delusion? No dream? The pressure returned! the slightest, the most gentle, the most de

-whilst Reilly could observe that her cheek was flushed with a feeling that seemed to resemble

to you every night in the week. I knew the curve-the line o

tea in the drawing-room, or

n my easy chair, dear H

pa, perhaps you might wish to have it

literally danced with delight. "Ah, Willy!" s

"that it is impossible to know her,

with him. That's a compliment. Shake hands with him, darling. There, now, th

at mutual pressure, and that mutual glance. Alas! al

l price. It is true we never had a baronet in the family, and it would gratify me to hear her called Lady Whitecraft; still, I say, I don't care for rank or ambition; nor would I sacrifice my child's happiness to either. And, between you and me, if she declines to have him, she shan't, thats all that's to be said about it. He's quite round in the sho

I think that no father should sacrifice the happiness of his daughter to his own inclination

d heavens!

med a plan to rob, possibly to

e deuce-worse! Why,

to carry her off to the mountains; but pardon me,

, pale, and almost in

ded Keilly, "he will be disappoi

did you come to hear of it? Tell me-tell me every thing about it! We must prepare to receive the villai

ive I have taken measures to frustrate all his designs, a

verheard by Tom Steeple, and as it was communicated to himself

n spare, in addition to the weapons which they shall bring along with them, must be made available. I sent orders that they should be here about nine o'clock. I, myself, will remain in this house, and you may rest assure

in that respect, and, accordingly, such as could be spared from the house were distributed among them. Mr. Folliard himself felt his spirit animated by a sense of the danger, and bustled about with uncommon energy and activity, considering what he had suffered in the course of the evening. At all events, they both resolved to conceal the matter from Helen till the last moment, in order to spare her the terror and a

the meantime, don't think of it, don'

nd let them-hem!-Helen, my darling, now that we've had our tea, will you retire to your own room. I wish to talk to Mr. Reilly here, on a p

elicious that, on reaching her own room, she felt completely overpowered by them, and was only relieved by a burst of tears. There was now but one image before her imagination, but one image

prevent the consequences of a nocturnal alarm for which she might be altogether unprepared. This was accordingly done, and her natural terrors were soothed

man, as she knew by his step, entered. In the meantime the house was alarmed; the man having hastily projected his arms about in several directions, as if searching for her, instantly retreated, a scuffle was heard outside on the lobby, and when lights and assistance appeared, there were found eight or ten men variously armed, all of whom proved to be a portion of the guard selected by Reilly to protect the house and family. These men maintained that they had seen

found until they came to the skylight, which was discovered to be opened-wrenched of

the name of his residence. This was accordingly attempted, the country far and wide was searched, pursuit given in every direction, but all to no purpose. Not only was the failure complete, but, what was still more unaccountable and mysterious, no single mark or trace of them could be found. This escape, however, did not much surprise the inhabitants of the country at large, as it was only in keeping

e, that the event in question, and the disappearance of the burglars, was fatal to the happiness of our l

he went, however, he made Reilly promise that he would not go until he had breakfasted, then shook him cordially by the hand, thanked him again and again for the deep and important obligations he h

u herself, which I am sure she will do in a manner beco

im tenderly and h

he remembered the gentle but significant pressure which it had given to his, more than once or twice, on the preceding night, he felt as if he experienced a personal interest in her fate-as if their destinies were to be united-as if his growing spirit could enfold hers, and mingle with it forever. The love he felt for her perva

r a pause, and with some confu

surprise, if one could judge by the look she b

bject, I fear, too deep for a girl

escue of your father last night, I cannot but feel glad of it; but though it be a Fate that has p

why, how could the service you render

aughter, and by bringing me under the influence of beauty which has unmanned-distracted me-beauty which I could not resist-which has overcom

ct to my father should end in this. But it cannot be. Nay, I will not pretend to misunderstand you. After the service you have rend

crifice has saved you from distress and grief and sorrow. Now that I know you, I would offer-lay down-my life, if the sacrifice could save yours from one moment's

led out her snow-white handkerchief, Reilly could observe the ex

n unworthiness, would prevent that; but I could not rest unless you knew that there is one heart which, in the

not prepared for this," she replied. "I did not think that so short an acquaintance could

ie one, Mis

be unhappy? You do n

made me ask you just now

why should you be unhappy, with your brave, generous,

st-it will be the melancholy light that will burn in the sepulchre of my heart to show your image there. And now, Miss Folliard, I will bid you f

nce-I know not much of the world. You have travelled, papa told me last night; I do not wish that you should be unhappy, and, least of all, that I, who owe you so much, should be the occasion of it. No, you talk of a ho

his moment is the great crisis of my life and happiness. I love you beyond all the power of language or expression. Yo

essure was returned-his voice melted into tenderness that was contagious and irresistible: "Say

y-piece as he spoke-"only say," he repe

eplied, "you are no

appy forever. You love me? say it, dearest, say

ispered in a b