, therefore, that it was you, not I, was the
delinquent."

"'All I know is, that you assured me you 'd not--you 'd not talk
nonsense," said she, blushing deeply, half angry, half ashamed.

"Oh! never guessed you were here," broke in Twining, as he peeped
through the window. "Sweet spot--so quiet and secluded--capital fun!"

"There is _such_ a view from this, papa," said Molly, in some confusion
at Twining's bantering look; "come round and see it."

"I have just been telling this dear girl of yours, O'Reilly, that you
ought to make this place your own," said Lord Lackington. "Don't fancy
you 'd be out of the world here. Why, there 's the Villa d'Este,
a European celebrity at once; it will be thronged next year to
suffocation. The 'Galignani,' I see, has already mentioned myself and
Lady Lackington as among the visitors. These things have their effect
The press in our day is an estate."

"Indeed, I 'm sure of it. There was a cousin of my wife's drew his two
hundred a year out of the 'Tyrawley Express,'--a daily little paper,
that, maybe, your Lordship never seen."

"When I said an estate, sir, I rather alluded to a recognized condition
of power and influence than to mere wealth. Not, I will add, that I am
one of those who approve of this consummation; nor can I see how men of
my order can ever so regard it."

"Well," said O'Reilly, sighing, as though the confession cost something,
"there 's nothing equal to a newspaper. I 'm reading 'Saunders' this
eight-and-forty years, and I own to you I never found one I liked so
much. For you see, my Lord, it's the same with a paper as with your
house,--you ought to know where to lay your hand on what you want. Now,
you might as well put me in Buckingham Palace, and tell me to find my
bedroom, as give me the 'Times' and bid me discover the Viceregal Court.
If they mention it at all, it 's among the accidents and offences."

"Castle festivities--Patrick's Hall--great fun!" said Twining,
laughing pleasantly, for he cherished some merry recollections of these
hospitalities.

"Have you--But of course you were too young for presentation," said his
Lordship to Molly.

"We were n't out; but, in any case, I 'm sure we 'd not have been
there," said Molly.

"The pleasure of that presentation may perhaps be reserved for me, who
knows?" said the Viscount, graciously. "If our people come in, it is the
post they 'd offer me."

"Lord-Lieutenant!" said Molly, opening her eyes to the fu