Upon this occasion the canvass, in, consequence of the desperate struggle that must ensue, owing to the equality of the opposing forces, was a remarkably early one.

Party feeling and religious animosity, as is usual, ran very high, each having been made the mere stalking-horse or catchword of the rival candidates, who cared nothing, or at least very little, about the masses on either side, provided always that they could turn them to some advantage.
It was one morning after the canvass had been going forward with great activity on both sides for about a week, that Hycy, who now felt himself rather peculiarly placed, rode down to Clinton's for the purpose of formally paying his addresses to the gauger's interesting niece, and, if possible, ascertaining his fate from her own lips.

His brother Edward had now been brought home in accordance with the expressed determination of his father, with whom he was, unquestionably, a manifest favorite, a circumstance which caused Hycy to detest him, and also deprived him in a great degree of his mother's affection.

Hycy had now resolved to pay his devoirs to Kathleen Cavanagh, as a _dernier_ resort, in the event of his failing with Miss Clinton; for, as regarding affection, he had no earthly conception what it I meant.

With this view he rode down to Clinton's as we said, and met Harry coming out of the stable.
"Harry," said he, after his horse was put I up, "I am about to ask an interview with your sister." "I don't think she will grant it," replied her brother, "you are by no means a favorite; with her; however, you can try; perhaps she may.