as obliged to retire
to bed, and before morning I was in a violent fever. Medical assistance
was sent for, and I was nursed by Timothy with the greatest care, but it
was ten days before I could quit my bed. For the first time, I was
sitting in an easy chair by the fire, when Timothy came in with the
little portmanteau I had left in the care of Mrs M'Shane. "Open it,
Timothy," said I, "and see if there be anything in the way of a note
from them." Timothy opened the portmanteau, and produced one, which was
lying on the top. It was from Kathleen, and as follows:--

Dear Sir,--They say there is terrible work at the castle, and
that Sir Henry has blown out his brains, or cut his throat, I
don't know which. Mr M'Dermott passed in a great hurry, but said
nothing to anybody here. I will send you word of what has taken
place as soon as I can. The morning after you went away, I walked
up to the castle and gave the key to the lady, who appeared in a
great fright at Sir Henry not having been seen for so long a
while. They wished to detain me after they had found him in the
cellar with the dead man, but after two hours I was desired to go
away, and hold my tongue. It was after the horses went back that
Sir Henry is said to have destroyed himself. I went up to the
castle, but M'Dermott had given orders for no one to be let in on
any account.

Yours Kathleen M'Shane.

"This is news indeed," said I, handing the letter to Timothy. "It must
have been my threatening letter which has driven him to this mad act."

"Very likely," replied Timothy; "but it was the best thing the scoundrel
could do, after all."

"The letter was not, however, written, with that intention. I wished to
frighten him, and have justice done to little Fleta--poor child! how glad
I shall be to see her!"

Chapter XLIX

Another investigation relative to a child which in the same way
as the former one, ends by the Lady going off in a fit.

The next day the newspapers contained a paragraph, in which Sir Henry de
Clare was stated to have committed suicide. No reason could be assigned
for this rash act, was the winding up of the intelligence. I also
received another letter from Kathleen M'Shane, confirming the previous
accounts; her mother had been sent for to assist in laying out the body.
There was now no further doubt, and as soon as I could venture out, I
hastened to the pro