Page:The Yellow Book - 07.djvu/105

 Turlogh looked sidewise across his guest to the faces of the priests behind. Their glances answered his with significance.

"A fire has wrought some mischief in my house," he replied, haltingly; "I fear it is not all repaired as yet. It is the dry season of the year, and the flames had their will. But I will be hoping and praying that things are not so bad with me that your lordship will be put to discomfort. And after the long voyage in the ship, will you not be resting here two days, or three? We are kinsmen, my lord, and have grown to gray hairs without coming upon each other, till this night, which I account the chief hour of my life. And I will implore you to stay longer with me, Laurence, son of Ivar."

"At a future time, Turlogh, son of Fineen," returned the other. "But I will be pressing forward to-morrow, with no delay. I have been two years away from my See, and that is very long. The affairs of the diocese rest anxiously upon me. I will ask you to send a trusted man onward to-night, on your swiftest hobbie, to find my Vicar-General at Rosscarbery, and bring him to meet me to-morrow on the way, and render account of his stewardship. And, moreover, I have with me day and night the great responsibility of this peerless relic, this miracle of heavenly favour to us of Ross. I cannot be idling on the road till that is suitably bestowed in my cathedral. I will have you bear me company, Turlogh, son of Fineen. You are by repute well known to me, and you are of my blood. We O'Mahonys of Muskerry are better sons of the Church, I fear, than you men here on the wild coast. Many evil tales reach men's ears of deeds ill done here, in this rude Ivehagh. But you yourself have borne always a name for piety and docility and some little layman's learning. It was for this that I chose to make my landing here, and let Dunheekin shelter the blessed relic first of all in Ireland. Besides, there were strange ships to be seen off