she went to Eppy's
room, and found her in bed, pretending to be asleep. She left her
undisturbed, thinking to come easier at the truth if she took her
unprepared to lie. It came out afterwards that she was not so
heartless as she seemed. She found lord Forgue waiting her upon the
road, and almost immediately Kennedy came up to them. Forgue told her
to run home at once: he would soon settle matters with the fellow. She
went off like a hare, and till she was out of sight the men stood
looking at each other. Kennedy was a powerful man, and Forgue but a
stripling; the latter trusted, however, to his skill, and did not fear
his adversary. He did not know what he was.

He seemed now in no danger, and his attendants agreed to be silent till
he recovered. It was given out that he was keeping his room for a few
days, but that nothing very serious was the matter with him.

In the afternoon, Donal went to find Kennedy, loitered a while about
the village, and made several inquiries after him; but no one had seen
him.

Forgue recovered as rapidly as could have been expected. Davie was
troubled that he might not go and see him, but he would have been full
of question, remark, and speculation! For what he had himself to do in
the matter, Donal was but waiting till he should be strong enough to be
taken to task.

CHAPTER XXVI.

CONFRONTMENT.

At length one evening Donal knocked at the door of Forgue's room, and
went in. He was seated in an easy chair before a blazing fire, looking
comfortable, and showing in his pale face no sign of a disturbed
conscience.

"My lord," said Donal, "you will hardly be surprised to find I have
something to talk to you about!"

His lordship was so much surprised that he made him no answer--only
looked in his face. Donal went on:--

"I want to speak to you about Eppy Comin," he said.

Forgue's face flamed up. The devil of pride, and the devil of fear,
and the devil of shame, all rushed to the outworks to defend the
worthless self. But his temper did not at once break bounds.

"Allow me to remind you, Mr. Grant," he said, "that, although I have
availed myself of your help, I am not your pupil, and you have no
authority over me."

"The reminder is unnecessary, my lord," answered Donal. "I am not your
tutor, but I am the friend of the Comins, and therefore of Eppy."

His lordship drew himself up yet more erect in his chair, and a sneer
came over his handsome countenance.