d not the less willingly, perhaps, as she evidently
will not speak to Mr. Walpole.'

'Ah, indeed, and is _he_ here?' he stopped and hesitated; and the full bold
look she gave him did not lessen his embarrassment.

'Well, sir,' asked she, 'go on: is this another reminiscence?'

'No, Miss Kearney; I was only thinking of asking you who this Mr. Walpole
was.'

'Mr. Cecil Walpole is a nephew or a something to the Lord-Lieutenant, whose
private secretary he is. He is very clever, very amusing--sings, draws,
rides, and laughs at the Irish to perfection. I hope you mean to like him.'

'Do you?'

'Of course, or I should not have bespoken your sympathy. My cousin used to
like him, but somehow he has fallen out of favour with her.'

'Was he absent some time?' asked he, with a half-cunning manner.

'Yes, I believe there was something of that in it. He was not here for
a considerable time, and when we saw him again, we almost owned we were
disappointed. Papa is calling me from the window, pray excuse me for a
moment.' She left him as she spoke, and ran rapidly back to the house,
whence she returned almost immediately. 'It was to ask you to stop and dine
here, Mr. O'Shea,' said she. 'There will be ample time to send back to Miss
O'Shea, and if you care to have your dinner-dress, they can send it.'

'This is Mr. Kearney's invitation?' asked he.

'Of course; papa is the master at Kilgobbin.'

'But will Miss Kearney condescend to say that it is hers also.'

'Certainly, though I'm not aware what solemnity the engagement gains by my
co-operation.'

'I accept at once, and if you allow me, I'll go back and send a line to my
aunt to say so.'

'Don't you remember Mr. O'Shea, Dick?' asked she, as her brother lounged
up, making his first appearance that day.

'I'd never have known you,' said he, surveying him from head to foot,
without, however, any mark of cordiality in the recognition.

'All find me a good deal changed!' said the young fellow, drawing himself
to his full height, and with an air that seemed to say--'and none the worse
for it.'

'I used to fancy I was more than your match,' rejoined Dick, smiling; 'I
suspect it's a mistake I am little likely to incur again.'

'Don't, Dick, for he has got a very ugly way of ridding people of their
illusions,' said Kate, as she turned once more and walked rapidly towards
the house.

CHAPTER XLI

TWO FAMILIAR EPISTLES

There were a number of bolder achievements Go