ng her eyes rest, with an
expression of tender melancholy, on Cashel.

What he might have said there is no guessing,--nay, for his sake, and
for hers too, it is better not even to speculate on it; but ere he could
reply, another speaker joined in the colloquy, saying,--

"Good morning, Mr. Cashel. Pray don't forget, when the lesson is over,
that we are waiting breakfast." So saying, and with a laugh of saucy
raillery, Miss Kennyfeck passed down the stairs, not remaining to hear
his answer.

"Oh, Mr. Cashel!" exclaimed Olivia, with a tone half reproachful, half
shy, "we shall be scolded,--at least, I shall," added she. "It is the
unforgivable offence in this house to be late at breakfast."

Cashel would very willingly have risked all the consequences of delay
for a few minutes longer of their interview; but already she had tripped
on downstairs, and with such speed as to enter the breakfast-parlor a
few seconds before him. Roland was welcomed by the family without the
slightest shade of dissatisfaction at his late appearance, cordial
greetings and friendly inquiries as to how he had rested pouring in on
every side.

"What 's to be done with Mr. Cashel to-day? I hope he is not to be
teased by business people and red-tapery," said Mrs. Kenny feck to her
husband.

"I am afraid," said the silky attorney, "I am very much afraid I must
trespass on his kindness to accompany me to the Master's office. There
are some little matters which will not wait."

"Oh, they must," said Mrs. Kennyfeck, peremptorily. "Who is the
Master,--Liddard, is n't it? Well, tell him to put it off; Mr. Cashel
must really have a little peace and quietness after all his fatigues."

"It will only take an hour, at most, Mrs. Kennyfeck," remonstrated her
submissive mate.

"Well, that is nothing," cried Cashel. "I 'm not in the least tired, and
the day is long enough for everything."

"Then we have a little affair which we can manage at home here about the
mortgages. I told you--"

"I believe you did," replied Cashel, laughing; "but I don't remember a
word of it. It's about paying some money, isn't it?"

"Yes, it's the redemption of two very heavy claims," exclaimed
Kennyfeck, perfectly shocked at the indifference displayed by the young
man,--"claims for which we are paying five and a half per cent."

"And it would be better to clear them off?" said Cashel, assuming a show
of interest in the matter he was far from feeling.

"Of course it wou