ave been willing to say, "Let all this be forgotten, only
for some time to come you and Clara cannot meet each other." But
Fitzgerald would by no means agree to such terms; and the countess
was obliged to leave his house, having in effect only thrown down a
gauntlet of battle; having in vain attempted to extend over it an
olive-branch of peace.

He helped her, however, into her little pony carriage, and at parting
she gave him her hand. He just touched it, and then, taking off his
hat, bowed courteously to her as she drove from his door.

CHAPTER V.

THE FITZGERALDS OF CASTLE RICHMOND.

What idea of carrying out his plans may have been prevalent in
Fitzgerald's mind when he was so defiant of the countess, it may be
difficult to say. Probably he had no idea, but felt at the spur of
the moment that it would be weak to yield. The consequence was, that
when Lady Desmond left Hap House, he was obliged to consider himself
as being at feud with the family.

The young lord he did see once again during the holidays, and even
entertained him at Hap House; but the earl's pride would not give way
an inch.

"Much as I like you, Owen, I cannot do anything but oppose it. It
would be a bad match for my sister, and so you'd feel if you were in
my place." And then Lord Desmond went back to Eton.

After that they none of them met for many months. During this time
life went on in a very triste manner at Desmond Court. Lady Desmond
felt that she had done her duty by her daughter; but her tenderness
to Clara was not increased by the fact that her foolish attachment
had driven Fitzgerald from the place. As for Clara herself, she
not only kept her word, but rigidly resolved to keep it. Twice she
returned unopened, and without a word of notice, letters which Owen
had caused to be conveyed to her hand. It was not that she had ceased
to love him, but she had high ideas of truth and honour, and would
not break her word. Perhaps she was sustained in her misery by the
remembrance that heroines are always miserable.

And then the orgies at Hap House became hotter and faster. Hitherto
there had perhaps been more smoke than fire, more calumny than sin.
And Fitzgerald, when he had intimated that the presence of a young
wife would save him from it all, had not boasted falsely. But now
that his friends had turned their backs upon him, that he was
banished from Desmond Court, and twitted with his iniquities at
Castle Richmond, he threw o