me for agraying to take the
twinty-foive,' whispered the well-to-do tenant who was talking to the
agent.

'I fail to understand,' said Captain Hibbert haughtily, 'that Miss Barton
said anything that would lead me to suppose that she wished me to give
her up. However, I do not see that anything would be gained by
discussing this matter further. Good-morning, Mrs. Barton.'

'Good-morning, Captain Hibbert;' and Mrs. Barton smiled winningly as she
rang the bell for the servant to show him out. When she returned to the
window the tenants were following Mr. Scully into the rent-office, and,
with a feeling of real satisfaction she murmured to herself:

'Well, after all, nothing ever turns out as badly as we expect it.'

XIV

But, although Mrs. Barton had bidden the captain away, Olive's sorrowful
looks haunted the house.

A white weary profile was seen on the staircase, a sigh was heard when
she left the room; and when, after hours of absence, she was sought for,
she was found lying at full length, crying upon her bed.

'My dear, it distresses me to see you in this state. You really must get
up; I cannot allow it. There's nothing that spoils one's good looks like
unhappiness. Instead of being the belle of the season, you'll be a
complete wreck. I must insist on your getting up, and trying to interest
yourself in something.'

'Oh! mamma, don't, don't! I wish I were dead; I am sick of everything!'

'Sick of everything?' said Mrs. Barton, laughing. 'Why, my dear child,
you have tasted nothing yet. Wait until we get to the Castle; you'll see
what a lot of Captain Hibberts there will be after this pretty face;
that's to say if you don't spoil it in the meantime with fretting.'

'But, mamma,' she said, 'how can I help thinking of him?--there's
nothing to do here, one never hears of anything but that horrid Land
League--whether the Government will or will not help the landlords,
whether Paddy So-and-so will or will not pay his rent. I am sick of it.
Milord comes to see you, and Alice likes reading-books, and papa has his
painting; but I have nothing since you sent Captain Hibbert away.'

'Yes, yes, my beautiful Olive flower, it is a little dull for you at
present, and to think that this wicked agitation should have begun the
very season you were coming out! Who could have foreseen such a thing?
But come, my pet, I cannot allow you to ruin your beautiful complexion
with foolish tears; you must get up; unfortunately