come and see us. We are very quiet people, and don't go into society, but I should think it very kind if you would pay us a visit; we shall be delighted to see you at any time."

"Thank you very much. I should like it, of all things," returned Lord Norwich, so heartily, that again Mr Desmond experienced some surprise at the warmth of his manner.

They had reached the house by this, and Mr Desmond, after again thanking the young man, descended from the dogcart.

"Good-bye!" said Lord Norwich, smiling, and glancing up at one of the windows, where he caught a glimpse of something white; and then he drove away with a smile of satisfaction on his handsome boyish face.

It was all square now, he said to himself, and he would call there the next day.

CHAPTER III.

"KATHLEEN MAVOURNEEN."

"In aged majesty a mighty oak, Towers o'er the subject trees, itself a grove."

HEN Mr Desmond entered the

W

house there was a soft rustle

of garments heard, and a rush

of light footsteps down the old oak staircase, and then a pair of soft arms were thrown round his neck.

"You dear old father, what has happened to you? And what has become of the horse and car? And oh, you are all covered with dust!"

And Miss Desmond stepped back and

surveyed her father with an alarmed expression on her dainty flower-like face.

"Oh, I'm all right," returned Mr Desmond, with a cheery laugh, "at least I shall be when I get rid of this coat; but I did come to grief on the road, and only for that young fellow who picked me up and drove me home, I don't know what I should have done."

And then, holding his daughter's hand as they mounted the stairs, Mr Desmond gave her an account of the accident, concluding with,

"He is an extremely nice young fellow, and was most friendly and obliging."

"How lucky it was he chanced to be near," said Miss Desmond demurely, though her eyes were full of laughter, and a smile trembling round her lips.

"Yes, very lucky," answered Mr Des

mond laughing, "though it was the noise of his dogcart that frightened Betsy, I think. I asked him to come and see us."

"You have not told me his name yet," said the girl; "and-and-did he say he

would come? I should like to thank him for being so civil."

"Norwich-Lord Norwich. He is quartered at Derrylinn."

You have had an adventure, too," remarked Miss Desmond, after a little. "I hope the hero will"

Why, who else has had an adventure?" interrupted Mr Desmond, looking up at his daughter.

Miss Desmond coloured, and laughed. "You know I told you about the picnic party in the glen, and how when I heard somebody singing 'Kathleen Mavourneen' I sang 'Dermot Astore' in answer; and they

VOL. I.

с

followed me then; and it was Lord Nor

wich who caught me."

66

Caught you, my dear!" laughed Mr Desmond; "that sounds a very funny story."

66

Came up with me, I mean," amended Miss Desmond.

Mr Desmond raised his eyebrows, and gave a long whistle.

"Oh, I see! that was what made him so civil. I thought he had fallen in love with me, though I own I was rather surprised. And-and-" looking at his daughter's bright, lovely face- "that's what made him accept my invitation so warmly."

And Mr Desmond began to laugh again.

The terms existing between him and his daughter were more like those of a brother and sister than of a father and child, for Mr Desmond was at heart a boy, full of