said the old man, in a voice of great dejection,
then added, with a sickly smile--"You have little affection for the old
walls, Mark."

The youth made no reply, and he went on--"Nor is it to be wondered at.
You never knew them in their happy days! but I did, Mark--ay, that I
did. I mind the time well, when your grandfather was the head of this
great county--when the proudest and the best in the land stood uncovered
when he addressed them, and deemed the highest honour they could
receive, an invitation to this house. In the very room where we are
sitting, I've seen thirty guests assembled, whose names comprised the
rank and station of the province; and yet, all--every man of them,
regarded him as their chief, and he was so, too--the descendant of one
who was a king."

The animated features of the young man, as he listened, encouraged the
O'Donoghue, and he went on. "Thirty-seven thousand acres descended to my
grandfather, and even that was but a moiety of our former possessions."

"Enough of this," interrupted Mark rudely. "It is but an unprofitable
theme. The game is up, father," added he, in a deep stern voice, "and I,
for one, have little fancy to wait for the winner to claim the stakes.
Could I but see you safely out of the scrape, I'd be many a mile away,
ere a week was over."

"You would not leave me, boy!" cried the old man, as he grasped the
youth's hands in his, and gazed on him with streaming eyes. "You would
not desert your poor old father. Oh, no--no, Mark; this would not be
like you. A little patience, my child, and death will save you that
cruelty."

The young man's chest heaved and fell like a swelling wave; but he never
spoke, nor changed a muscle of his rigid features.

"I have borne all misfortunes well till now," continued the father. "I
cared little on my own account, Mark; my only sorrow was for you; but so
long as we were together, boy--so long as hand in hand we stood against
the storm, I felt that my courage never failed me. Stay by me, then,
Mark--tell me that whatever comes, you'll never leave me. Let it not
be said, that when age and affliction fell upon the O'Donoghue, his
son--the boy of his heart--deserted him. You shall command in every
thing," said he, with an impassioned tone, as he fixed his eyes upon
the youth's countenance. "I ask for nothing but to be near you. The
house--the property--all shall be yours."

"What house--what property--do you speak of?" said Mark, rudely. "Are