f living. "A hundred thousand pounds
will pay for all," was the consolatory thought with which he solaced
himself for this extravagance.

The frequent calls for money, the astounding sums demanded from time to
time, did indeed alarm Fagan. The golden limit of a hundred thousand had
long been passed, and yet came no sign of retrenchment; on the contrary,
the plans for the completion of the Castle were on a scale of even
greater magnificence.

It was to assure himself as to the truth of these miraculous narratives,
to see with his own eyes the splendors of which he had heard so much,
that Fagan once undertook a journey down to Castle Carew. For reasons
the motives of which may be as well guessed as described, he was
accompanied by his daughter. Seeming to be engaged on a little tour
of the county, they arrived at the village inn at nightfall, and the
following morning readily obtained the permission to visit the grounds
and the mansion.

Perhaps there is no higher appreciation of landscape beauty than that of
him who emerges from the dark and narrow street of some busy city,--from
its noise, and smoke, and din,--from its vexatious cares and harassing
duties, and strolls out, of a bright spring morning, through the grassy
fields and leafy lanes of a rural country; there is a repose, a sense of
tranquil calm in the scene, so refreshing to those whose habitual rest
comes of weariness and exhaustion. No need is there of the painter's
eye nor the poet's fancy to enjoy to the utmost that rich combination of
sky, and wood, and glassy lake.

There may be nothing of artistic excellence in the appreciation, but the
sense of pleasure, of happiness even, is to the full as great.

It was in such a mood that Fagan found himself that morning slowly
stealing along a woodland-path, his daughter at his side; halting
wherever a chance opening afforded a view of the landscape, they walked
leisurely on, each, as it were, respecting the other's silence. Not that
their secret thoughts were indeed alike,--far from it! The daughter had
marked the tranquil look, the unembarrassed expression of those features
so habitually agitated and careworn: she saw the sense of relief even
one day, one single day of rest, had brought with it. Why should it not
be always thus? thought she. He needs no longer to toil and strive.
His might be a life of quietude and peace. Our fortune is far above our
wants, beyond even our wishes. We might at last make frien