Sir Archibald he ever regarded as being prejudiced against Mark, and
invariably more disposed to exaggerate, than extenuate his faults. To
have opened his heart to him, would be to expose himself to some very
plausible, but, as he would deem them, very impracticable remarks,
on frugality and order--the necessity of submitting to altered
fortunes--and, if need be, of undertaking some humble but honest
occupation as a livelihood. These, and such like, had more than once
been obtruded upon him; but to seek and court them, to invite their
presence, was not to be thought of.

Kerry O'Leary was, then, the only one who remained; and they who know
the intimacy to which old servants, long conversant with the fortunes of
the family, and deemed faithful, because, from utter inutility, they
are attached to the house that shelters them, are admitted in Irish
households, will not be surprised at the choice of the confidant. He, I
say, was the O'Donoghue's last resource; and from him he still hoped to
gain some clue, at least, to the secret of this mystery. Scarcely had
the O'Donoghue retired to his room at night, when Kerry was summoned to
his presence, and after a few preliminaries, was asked if he knew where,
how, or with whom his young master latterly spent his time.

"Faix, and 'tis that same does be puzzling myself," said Kerry, to whom
the matter had already been one of considerable curiosity. "Sometimes I
think one thing, and then I think another--but it beats me entirely."

"What were your thoughts, then, Kerry?"

"'Twas Tuesday last I suspected Joe Lenahan's daughter--the fair-haired
girl, above at the three meadows; then, I took into my head, it might
be a badger he was after--for he was for ever going along by the bank
of the river; but, twice in the week, I was sure I had him--and faix, I
think, maybe I have."

"How is that, Kerry? Tell me at once, man!"

"It's a fine brown beast Lanty Lawler has--a strapping four-year-old, as
likely a weight-carrier as ever I seen--that's what he's after--sorra he
in it. I obsarved him, on Friday, taking him over the big fences beyant
the whin-field--and I measured his tracks--and, may I never die in sin,
if he didn't stride nineteen feet over the yallow ditch."

"Do you know what he's asking for him, Kerry?" cried the old man,
eagerly.

"His weight in goold, I heerd say; for the captain, up at 'the Lodge,'
will give him his own price for any beast will make a charger--and
three