judices of his family against
Hemsworth. "He is anxious for the peace and welfare of this country--he
grieves for the poverty and privations of the people, and whether he
be correct or not, deems the remedy, the residence amongst them of a
cultivated and wealthy proprietary, with intelligence to perceive, and
ability to redress their grievances."

"Very true, Kate," replied Herbert; "but don't you see that in these
very requisites of a resident gentry, he does not point at the Travers
family, whose ignorance of Ireland he often exposed when affecting to
eulogise their knowledge. The qualities he recommends he believes to be
his own."

"No, Herbert, you wrong him there," said she, warmly; "he told me
himself the unceasing regret he suffered, that, in his humble sphere,
all efforts for the people's good were ineffectual--that, wanting the
influence which property confers, benefits from his hands became
suspected, and measures of mere justice were regarded as acts of cruelty
and oppression."

"Well, I only know that such is Frederick Travers's opinion of him,"
said Herbert, not a little piqued at Kate's unexpected defence of their
ancient enemy. "Frederick told me himself that he would never cease
until his father promised to withdraw the agency from him. Indeed, he is
only prevented from pressing the point, because Hemsworth has got a long
lease of part of the estate, which they desire to have back again on any
terms. The land was let at a nominal rent, as being almost valueless.
The best part of the valley it turns out to be!--the very approach to
'the Lodge' passes through it--so that, as Frederick says, they could
not reach their hall-door without a trespass, if Hemsworth pleased to
turn sulky."

Kate felt there might be another and more correct explanation of
Frederick's dislike, but she did not dare to hint at it.

"You are too favourable in your opinion of Hemsworth, Kate. Sy-bella
said as much to me herself."

"Sybella said so?" said Kate, as a flush, half of shame, half of
displeasure, mantled her cheek.

"Yes," cried Herbert, for he felt that he was in a difficulty, and there
was no way out save the bold one, of right through it; "yes, she
saw what you did not, that Hemsworth had dared to lift his eyes to
you----that all his displays of patriotic sentiment were got up to
attract your favourable notice, and that in his arguments with Frederick
about Ireland, his whole aim was to expose the Guardsman's ign