ns.

Lady Fitzgerald took a part in all this, and so occasionally did Sir
Thomas. Indeed, on this evening he was more active than was usual
with him. He got up from his arm-chair, and came to the table, in
order that he might pore over the map of the estate with them; for
they were dividing the property into districts, and seeing how best
the poor might be visited in their own localities.

And then, as he did so, he became liberal. Liberal, indeed, he always
was; but now he made offers of assistance more than his son had dared
to ask; and they were all busy, contented, and in a great degree
joyous--joyous, though their work arose from the contiguity of such
infinite misery. But what can ever be more joyous than efforts made
for lessening misery?

During all this time Miss Letty was fast asleep in her own arm-chair.
But let no one on that account accuse her of a hard heart; for she
had nearly walked her old legs off that day in going about from cabin
to cabin round the demesne.

"But we must consult Somers about that mill," said Sir Thomas.

"Oh, of course," said Herbert; "I know how to talk Somers over."

This was added _sotto voce_ to his mother and the girls. Now Mr.
Somers was the agent on the estate.

This mill was to be at Berryhill, a spot also on Sir Thomas's
property, but in a different direction from Gortnaclough. There was
there what the Americans would call a water privilege, a stream to
which some fall of land just there gave power enough to turn a mill;
and was now a question how they might utilize that power.

During the day just past Clara had been with them, but they were now
talking of what they would do when she would have left them. This
created some little feeling of awkwardness, for Clara had put her
whole heart into the work at Gortnaclough, and it was evident that
she would have been so delighted to continue with them.

"But why on earth need you go home to-morrow, Lady Clara?" said
Herbert.

"Oh, I must; mamma expects me, you know."

"Of course we should send word. Indeed, I must send to Clady
to-morrow, and the man must pass by Desmond Court gate."

"Oh, yes, Clara; and you can write a line. It would be such a pity
that you should not see all about the mill, now that we have talked
it over together. Do tell her to stay, mamma."

"I am sure I wish she would," said Lady Fitzgerald. "Could not Lady
Desmond manage to spare you for one day?"

"She is all alone, you know," said Clara