ville's

oom while he was there, and the conversation was almost confined to the expression of thanks on the part of the Earl to his nephew for coming, and of hopes on the part of the nephew that his uncle might soon be well.

ght!" sai

his going yet," re

have gone back in a fortnight," sa

Earl shook his head, but nothing more was then said on that subject. Fred, however, had carried out his purpose.

ave been to Kate O'Hara! He had promised her that he would write to her, and from the moment that he was gone she was anxious to send in to the post-office at Ennistimon for the treasure which the mail car might bring to her. When she did get

e did not mean me to shew it." The mother did not urge her request, but contented herself with coming up beh

est

remain here very long. I can't tell you any particular news,-except this, that that old cat down at Castle Quin,-the one with the crisp-curled wig,-must have the nose of a dog and the ears of a cat and the eyes of a bird, and she sends word to S

e, Dorsetshire,-that will be enough;-to F. Neville, Esq. Give my love to your mother.-As for yourself, dear Kate, if you c

own

very pretty;-but you need not be a bit jealous. The joke is that my brother is furiously in love with her,

too. He sent her a thousand kisses; and she, thinking that he might have kissed the paper, pressed it to her lips. At any rate his hand had rested on it. She would have been quite willing to shew to her mother all these expressions of her lover's love; but she felt t

ng of the old man?"

at his uncl

ong. Does Neville tell y

stay long. He does not like Scroope at al

what,

somewhere,-to Italy or Greece or some

ere sha

ou shall be wi

eam of that. When you have

I shall want

much from him, Kate. That he shall make you his wif

. Why should you

e, I will bear all the rest." That which she would have to bear would be utter solitude for life. She could look forward

his respect used to declare that there was no remedy for April but to go and fly hawks in Holland. Fred Neville could not fly hawks at Scroope, and found that there was nothing for him to do. Miss Mellerby suggested-books. "I like books better than anything," said Fred. "I always have a lot

so much more; but there were circumstances. And "My Lord" had been peculiarly good. This farm was supposed to be the best on the estate, and that other the worst. Oh yes, there were plenty of foxes. "My Lord" had always insisted that the foxes should be preserved. Some of the hunting gentry no doubt had made complaints, but it was a great shame. Foxes had been seen, two or three at a time, the very day after the coverts had been drawn blank. As for game, a head of game could be got up very soon, as there was plenty of corn and the woods were large; but "My Lord" had never cared for game. The farmers all shot the rabbits on their own land. Rents were paid to the day. There was never any mistake about that. Of course the land wo

e daily,-probably twice a day; but the Earl never alluded to his Irish love. Lady Scroope spoke constantly of the greatness of the position which the heir was called upon to fill and of all that was due to the honour of the family. Fred, as he heard her, would shake his head impatiently, but would acknowledge the truth of what she said. He was induced even to repeat the promise which he had made to his uncle, and to assure his aunt that he would do nothing to mar or lessen the dignity of the name of Neville. He did become, within his own mind, indoctrinated with the idea that he would injure the position of the earldom whic

, that must of course hereafter go with the title, but in giving up so much to his brother, he could of course arrange as to the provision necessary for any children of his own. No doubt his Kate would like to be the Countess Scroope,-would prefer that a future son of her own should be the future Earl. But as he was ready to abandon so much, surely she would be ready to abandon something. He must explain to her,-and to her mother,-that under no other circumstances could he marry her. He must tell her of pledges made to his uncle before he knew her, of the duty which he owed to his family, and of his own great dislike to the kind of life which would await him as acting head of the family. No doubt there would be scenes,-and his heart quailed as he remembered certain gl

no seals and cared nothing for adventure, still he felt it to be almost a pity that Jack should not be the future Earl. So he told his aunt that he proposed to ask his brother to come to Scroope for a day or two before he returned to Ireland. Had his aunt, or would his uncle have, any objection? Lady Scroope did not dare to object. She by no m

d been sharp enough to discern his brother's feelings. "My brother is coming her

me. I don't wonder that yo

ack is just about the very best fellow in th

r one brother speak i

ve been the elder brother;-that'

eed. What I saw of hi

hat he shouldn't h

ay that, M

ut I can say it. When we were here last

at, Mr

y fond of you. Perhaps

ever done by saying that kind of

this case. I wish with all my heart th

nonsense. I

see why you and I should not understand one ano

ecret that I must kee

just what y

I don't do it,"

t. "The truth is that both my uncle and m

em," said she with a

not at all the sort of man to be conceited in that way. Wishing to do the best they coul

le, this is the od

and there is nobody else I can talk to. And I want you

reak my heart

. I should have minded it very much if I had a

iven me the ch

ean. What w

ou are engaged to some one else.

d. I will not vex my uncle if I can help it, but I certainly shall not throw over the girl who loves me. If it wasn't for the title, I'd give up Scroo

nk better o

Kate O'Hara. I'm sure you would not wonder that a fellow should love her. I had rather yo