eem ... very forward of me to write to
him?" asked Eileen; and then looked from the curtain of her hair with
wet eyes but a new hopefulness.

"I should ask Brigid. He may have acted on your advice."

"Oh, but he hadn't time," said Eileen, whose strong point was not
humour. "He went away at once, broken-hearted. Besides, I should have
known if he had made any advance to Brigid. Cousin Mary, _would_ you
mind very much if I went home for a little visit? I know that I have
only just come back--but still..."

"Certainly not, Eileen." Lady O'Gara had a feeling that just at
present Eileen might be a jarring element. "Make your own
arrangements, my dear. I am very glad if it will make you happier."

"Oh, _thank_ you," said Eileen, with effusion. "You are always so
sympathetic and understanding, darling Cousin Mary. You see, if Robin
has come back as Major Evelyn says, he might be with his people just at
this moment."

CHAPTER XVI

THE DEAD HAND

Terry came to his mother a week later with a look in his face which
made her want to take his young head in her arms and weep over it. A
shadow had fallen on his comely youth. He looked "grumpy," as he had
been accustomed to look in his darling childhood when he was about to
have a croupy attack, at which times the sense of injury against all
the world had been part humorous, whole poignant, to his mother's mind.

"What is it, darling?" she asked, although she knew before he spoke
what was the matter.

"I have been talking to Father," he broke out. "Mother, it is
intolerable. He says he will not consent to my engagement to Stella.
As though he or anybody could prevent it."

"You have not quarrelled?" she asked in quick alarm, anxious for both
her men.

He laughed angrily.

"Oh, we didn't shout at each other, if that is what you mean. He told
me he would never consent to my engagement. Why? In the name of
Heaven why? I asked him that and he wouldn't answer me. He told me to
come to you. What bee has he got in his bonnet? I should have
thought--Stella is a sort of little sister of Terence Comerford, from
whom I am called, whose death I have always understood shadowed
Father's life. Oh, I know you've been throwing cold water on me,
leading me up to this. I knew when you would not let me shout it out
that first night, as I wanted to, before all the world. Father said
something about Eileen. Ridiculous! We have never thought of each
other. As