which she stayed in the house and garden.
The Colonel was away, doing duty for some fellow "Removable" absent on
leave. On his return he told his sister that he had found a letter
awaiting him calling for his immediate return to Yorkshire on business
connected with settlements.

"I must go the day after to-morrow," he said; "and would it not be a
good plan, Louise, for you to come with me and make friends with Agnes?"

A light flashed in the girl's eyes. Was not this a way of escape for
her? Oh, that she might leave Cloon while no one knew of the momentary
folly that now she blushed to remember!

She quickly assented, and next morning began to make her preparations.
She knew, though she would not confess to the knowledge, that she was
saying good-bye for ever to Inagh, the bright little home where she had
been so happy; but a thought of changing her resolution never crossed
her mind. She still nervously dreaded a visit from the man she was
conscious she was about to wound cruelly, and in the afternoon, hearing
wheels, was relieved to see only her brother driving up. He had called
for a cup of tea, having to drive on and wind up some business at
another village in his jurisdiction.

"I was sorry to hear of Dr. Quin's accident," he said as he waited. "I
hope it is not so serious as they say."

"What accident?" asked Louise, startled.

"Oh, did you not hear that the night he dined here he went on up that
narrow road to Ranahasey to see some old man, and in the dark he was
thrown off his car and the wheel went over him? They brought him back to
Cloon on the car; which was a mistake, and must have caused him agony.
Dr. Cloran, his rival, is looking after him, and seems rather puzzled
about the case, and says if he is not better to-morrow he will send to
Limerick for further advice. I am very sorry, for he seemed an
intelligent, good-hearted young fellow."

Louise remained alone, sick at heart. What had she done? Had she
brought upon this poor lad, in return for his worship of her, actual
bodily injury even before the keener pain that was to follow?

The dignified letter of dismissal and farewell she had been meditating
all day became suddenly inadequate. She must ask his pardon and break to
him very gently the hard sentence of renunciation and separation. Keen
remorse took hold of her as she remembered his gentle ways with the sick
and suffering, his strength and wisdom, when fighting against disease
and death. Oh