and he went to the town vaguely hoping to get a sight of
Eppy. Coming upon her tete a tete with her old lover, first a sense of
unpardonable injury possessed him, and next the conviction that he was
as madly in love with her as ever. The tide of old tenderness came
throbbing and streaming back over the ghastly sands of jealousy, and
ere they parted he had made with her an appointment to meet the next
night in a more suitable spot.

Donal was seated by Andrew's bedside reading: he had now the
opportunity of bringing many things before him such as the old man did
not know to exist. Those last days of sickness and weakness were among
the most blessed of his life; much that could not be done for many a
good man with ten times his education, could be done for a man like
Andrew Comin.

Eppy had done her best to remove all traces of emotion ere she
re-entered the house; but she could not help the shining of her eyes:
the joy-lamp relighted in her bosom shone through them: and Andrew
looking up when she entered, Donal, seated with his back to her, at
once knew her secret: her grandfather read it from her face, and Donal
read it from his.

"She has seen Forgue!" he said to himself. "I hope the old man will die
soon."

CHAPTER XLIV.

HIGH AND LOW.

When lord Morven heard of his son's return, he sent for Donal, received
him in a friendly way, gave him to understand that, however he might
fail to fall in with his views, he depended thoroughly on his honesty,
and begged he would keep him informed of his son's proceedings.

Donal replied that, while he fully acknowledged his lordship's right to
know what his son was doing, he could not take the office of a spy.

"But I will warn lord Forgue," he concluded, "that I may see it right
to let his father know what he is about. I fancy, however, he
understands as much already."

"Pooh! that would be only to teach him cunning," said the earl.

"I can do nothing underhand," replied Donal. "I will help no man to
keep an unrighteous secret, but neither will I secretly disclose it."

Meeting him a few days after, Forgue would have passed him without
recognition, but Donal stopped him, and said--

"I believe, my lord, you have seen Eppy since your return."

"What the deuce is that to you?"

"I wish your lordship to understand that whatever comes to my knowledge
concerning your proceedings in regard to her, I will report to your
father if I see fit."

"The warning is unne