be better than a letter.
"Simpkinson," he said, going at once into the young man's bed-room,
"have you heard what has happened to me?" Simpkinson had heard all about
it, and expressed himself as "deucedly sorry" for the old man's death,
but seemed to think that there might be consolation for that sorrow. "I
must go to Scroope immediately," said Neville. "I have explained it all
to Johnstone, and shall start almost at once. I shall first lie down and
get an hour's sleep. I want you to do something for me." Simpkinson was
devoted. Simpkinson would do anything. "I cut up a little rough just now
when you mentioned Miss O'Hara's name." Simpkinson declared that he did
not mind it in the least, and would never pronounce the name again as
long as he lived. "But I want you to go and see her to-morrow," said
Neville. Then Simpkinson sat bolt upright in bed.

Of course the youthful warrior undertook the commission. What youthful
warrior would not go any distance to see a beautiful young lady on a
cliff, and what youthful warrior would not undertake any journey to
oblige a brother officer who was an Earl? Full instructions were at once
given to him. He had better ask to see Mrs. O'Hara,--in describing whom
Neville made no allusion to the dagger. He was told how to knock at
the door, and send in word by the servant to say that he had called on
behalf of Mr. Neville. He was to drive as far as Liscannor, and then get
some boy to accompany him on foot as a guide. He would not perhaps mind
walking two or three miles. Simpkinson declared that were it ten he
would not mind it. He was then to tell Mrs. O'Hara--just the truth. He
was to say that a messenger had come from Scroope announcing the death
of the Earl, and that Neville had been obliged to start at once for
England.

"But you will be back?" said Simpkinson.

Neville paused a moment. "Yes, I shall be back, but don't say anything
of that to either of the ladies."

"Must I say I don't know? They'll be sure to ask, I should say."

"Of course they'll ask. Just tell them that the whole thing has been
arranged so quickly that nothing has been settled, but that they shall
hear from me at once. You can say that you suppose I shall be back, but
that I promised that I would write. Indeed that will be the exact truth,
as I don't at all know what I may do. Be as civil to them as possible."

"That's of course."

"They are ladies, you know."

"I supposed that."

"And I am most desirous