so much on her guard, she would show him
some tenderness,--tenderness which would be treason to her present
affianced suitor? Oh, why had her mother desired her to go through
such an interview as this!

When two o'clock came Clara was in the drawing-room. She had said
nothing to her mother as to the manner in which this meeting should
take place. But then at first she had had an idea that Lady Desmond
would be present. But as the time came near Clara was still alone.
When her watch told her that it was already two, she was still by
herself; and when the old servant, opening the door, announced that
Mr. Fitzgerald was there, she was still unsupported by the presence
of any companion. It was very surprising that on such an occasion her
mother should have kept herself away.

She had not seen Owen Fitzgerald since that day when they had walked
together under the elm-trees, and it can hardly be said that she saw
him now. She had a feeling that she had injured him--had deceived,
and in a manner betrayed him; and that feeling became so powerful
with her that she hardly dared to look him in the face.

He, when he entered the room, walked straight up to her, and offered
her his hand. He, too, looked round the room to see whether Lady
Desmond was there, and not finding her, was surprised. He had hardly
hoped that such an opportunity would be allowed to him for declaring
the strength of his passion.

She got up, and taking his hand, muttered something; it certainly did
not matter what, for it was inaudible; but such as the words were,
they were the first spoken between them.

"Lady Clara," he began; and then stopped himself; and, considering,
recommenced--"Clara, a report has reached my ears which I will
believe from no lips but your own."

She now sat down on a sofa, and pointed to a chair for him, but he
remained standing, and did so during the whole interview; or rather,
walking; for when he became energetic and impetuous, he moved about
from place to place in the room, as though incapable of fixing
himself in one position.

Clara was ignorant whether or no it behoved her to rebuke him for
calling her simply by her Christian name. She thought that she ought
to do so, but she did not do it.

"I have been told," he continued, "that you have engaged yourself to
marry Herbert Fitzgerald; and I have now come to hear a contradiction
of this from yourself."

"But, Mr. Fitzgerald, it is true."

"It is true that Herbert F