d with two easy chairs in a corner--one for himself, and
the other for his feet.

"Now, my dear Lady George," said the countess, "you must not think of
returning to Mountains tonight: indeed, we made sure of you and Lord
George for a week."

"My dear Lady Cashel, it's impossible; indeed, we wished it of all
things, and tried it every way: but we couldn't manage it; Lord George
has so much to do: there's the Sessions to-morrow at Dunlavin, and he
has promised to meet Sir Glenmalure Aubrey, about a road, or a river,
or a bridge--I forget which it is; and they must attend to those
things, you know, or the tenants couldn't get their corn to market. But
you don't know how sorry we are, and such a charming set you have got
here!"

"Well, I know it's no use pressing you; but I can't tell you how vexed
I am, for I counted on you, above all, and Adolphus will be so sorry.
You know Lord Kilcullen's come home, Lady George?"

"Yes; I was very glad to hear we were to meet him."

"Oh, yes! He's come to stay here some time, I believe; he's got quite
fond of Grey Abbey lately. He and his father get on so well together,
it's quite a delight to me."

"Oh, it must be, I'm sure," said Lady George; and the countess sidled
off to the bishop's fat wife.

"Well, this is very kind of you and the bishop, to come at so short a
notice: indeed I hardly dared expect it. I know he has so much to do in
Dublin with those horrid boards and things."

"He is busy there, to be sure, Lady Cashel; but he couldn't deny
himself the pleasure of coming to Grey Abbey; he thinks so very much
of the earl. Indeed, he'd contrive to be able to come here, when he
couldn't think of going anywhere else."

"I'm sure Lord Cashel feels how kind he is; and so do I, and so does
Adolphus. Lord Kilcullen will be delighted to meet you and the bishop."

The bishop's wife assured the countess that nothing on earth, at the
present moment, would give the bishop so much pleasure as meeting Lord
Kilcullen.

"You know the bishop christened him, don't you?" said Lady Cashel.

"No! did he though?" said the bishop's wife; "how very interesting!"

"Isn't it? And Adolphus longs to meet him. He's so fond of everything
that's high-minded and talented, Adolphus is: a little sarcastic
perhaps--I don't mind saying so to you; but that's only to inferior
sort of people--not talented, you know: some people are stupid, and
Adolphus can't bear that."

"Indeed they are, my lady. I wa