Ravenshoe. By Henry Kingsley.

FATHER TIERNAY'S OPINION ABOUT THE FAMILY. 77
"I almost fancy that I could have fallen in love with that girl
Ellen. I was uncommon near it. I must be very careful. What
a wild hawk she is! What a magnificent move that was of hers,
risking a prosecution for felony on one single throw, and winning.
How could she have guessed that there was anything there? She
could n't have guessed it. It was an effort of genius. It was a
splendid move.
"How nearly that pig-headed fool of a young nobleman has
gone to upset my calculations. His namesake the chess-player
could not have done more mischief by his talents than his friend
had by stupidity. I wish Lord Ascot would get ruined as
quickly as possible, and then my friend would be safe out of the
way. But he won't."
CHAPTER XII.
CONTAINING A SONG BY CHARLES RAVENSHOE, AND ALSO
FATHER TIERNAY'S OPINION ABOUT THE FAMILY.
CHARLES and the good-natured Father Tiernay wandered out
across the old court-yard, towards the stables,- a pile of buildings in the same style as the house, which lay back towards the
hill. The moon was full, although obscured by clouds, and the
whole court-yard was bathed in a soft mellow light. They both
paused for a moment to look at the fine old building, standing
silent for a time; and then Charles startled the contemplative
priest by breaking into a harsh, scornful laugh, as unlike his own
cheery Ha! ha! as it was possible to be.
"' What are you disturbing a gentleman's meditations in that
way for? " said the Father. "Is them your Oxford manners?
Give me ye'r cigar-case, ye haythen, if ye can't appreciate the
beauties of nature and art combined, - laughing like that at the
cradle of your ancestors too."
Charles gave him the cigar-case, and trolled out, in a rich bass
voice, -
"The old falcon's nest
Was built up on the crest
Of the cliff that hangs over the sea;
Arid the jackdaws and crows,
As every one knows,
Were confounded respectful to he, to he-e —e."
"'Iowld yer impudence, ye young heretic doggrel-writer!
Can't- I see what ye are driving at?"