“Not with that old woman, Molly.”

“Never mind her; won’t you consider it? No one need know you⁠—in fact, you need see no one⁠—and⁠—oh, Jack! don’t look like that. Miles, is he not ridiculous?”

“Sure, alanna, ’tis a dreary life he’d be leading,” chuckled O’Hara.

“I see what it is, Molly. You have planned to make me a recluse, and to marry me to my housekeeper. I protest, ’tis great ill-usage!”

Molly eyed him doubtfully.

“Would you much object to the life, John?”

“Madam,” he replied solemnly, “you would find my corpse in the garden at the end of the first week.”