ll in Mr O'Joscelyn's voice. "But won't you take a glass of Madeira
first, Mr Armstrong?"

Mr Armstrong took his glass of Madeira, and then went to the ladies;
and the next morning, left Grey Abbey, for his own parish. Well;
thought he to himself, as he was driven through the park, in the earl's
gig, I'm very glad I came here, for Frank's sake. I've smoothed his
way to matrimony and a fortune. But I don't know anything which would
induce me to stay a week at Grey Abbey. The earl is bad--nearly
unbearable; but the parson!--I'd sooner by half be a Roman myself,
than think so badly of my neighbours as he does. Many a time since
has he told in Connaught, how Mr O'Joscelyn. and Mary, his wife, sat
up two nights running, armed to the teeth, to protect themselves from
the noisy Repealers of Kilcullen.

Mr Armstrong arrived safely at his parsonage, and the next morning he
rode over to Kelly's Court. But Lord Ballindine was not there. He had
started for Grey Abbey almost immediately on receiving the two letters
which we have given, and he and his friend had passed each other on the
road.

XXXIX. IT NEVER RAINS BUT IT POURS

When Frank had read his two letters from Grey Abbey, he was in such a
state of excitement as to be unable properly to decide what he would
immediately do. His first idea was to gallop to Tuam, as fast as his
best horse would carry him; to take four horses there, and not to
stop one moment till he found himself at Grey Abbey: but a little
consideration showed him that this would not do. He would not find
horses ready for him on the road; he must take some clothes with him;
and it would be only becoming in him to give the earl some notice of
his approach. So he at last made up his mind to postpone his departure
for a few hours.

He was, however, too much overcome with joy to be able to do anything
rationally. His anger against the earl totally evaporated; indeed, he
only thought of him now as a man who had a house in which he could meet
his love. He rushed into the drawing-room, where his mother and sisters
were sitting, and, with the two letters open in his hand, proclaimed
his intention of leaving home that day.

"Goodness gracious, Frank! and where are you going?" said Mrs O'Kelly.

"To Grey Abbey."

"No!" said Augusta, jumping up from her chair.

"I am so glad!" shouted Sophy, throwing down her portion of the
worsted-work sofa.

"You have made up your difference, then, with Miss Wyndha