wing, and
sorely puzzled how to act.

"You'll have a very numerous muster, Cashel, I fancy," said Lord
Charles, aloud; "not to speak of the invited, but those 'Umbrae,' as the
Romans call them, who follow in the suite of such fascinating people as
Mrs. White."

"Not one too many, if there be but room for them; my anxiety is, that my
personal friends should not be worst off, and I have come to beg, if not
inconvenient, that you would start from this on Tuesday."

"Do you contract to bring us all down?" said Frobisher. "I really think
you ought; the geography of that district is not very familiar to most
of us. What says Miss Kennyfeck?"

"I like everything that promises pleasure and amusement."

"What says her sister?" whispered Cashel to Olivia.

"How do you mean to travel, Mr. Cashel?" said she, in a tone which might
be construed into perfect artlessness or the most intense interest.

"With you--if you permit," said Cashel, in a low voice. "I have been
thinking of asking Mrs. Kennyfeck if she would like to go down by sea,
and sail up the Shannon. My yacht has just arrived."

"Mamma cannot bear the water, or it would be delightful," said Olivia.

"Cannot we manage a lady patroness, then?" said Cashel; "would Miss
O'Hara kindly consent?"

"Aunt Fanny, Mr. Cashel wishes to speak to you."

"Gare la tante!" said Frobisher, between his teeth.

"We were speaking--or rather, I was expressing a hope," said Cashel,
diffidently, "that a yacht excursion round the southern coast, and so up
the Shannon, might not be an inappropriate way of reaching Tubbermore.
Would Miss O'Hara feel any objection to be of the party?"

"With Caroline and me," said Olivia, innocently.

Miss O'Hara smiled, and shook her head doubtfully.

"It is very tempting, Mr. Cashel,--too tempting, indeed; but it requires
consideration. May I speak a word with you?" And so saying, she withdrew
with Cashel into a window recess.

The interview was brief; but as they returned to the circle, Cashel was
heard to say,--

"I am really the worst man in the world to solve such difficulties, for
in my ignorance of all forms, I incur the risk of undervaluing them; but
if you thought by my inviting Lord and Lady Kilgoff--"

"Oh, by no means. My sister would never consent to that. But I will just
confer with her for an instant."

"If the Kilgoff s are asked, it spoils all," said Mrs. Kennyfeck, in
reply to a whispered communication of her sister.

"I'll