that enables a man, who is base enough to insult
the very woman who was about to become his wife, and to involve her own
father in the insult, to ensconce himself, like a coward, behind his
loyalty, and refuse to give the satisfaction of a man, or a gentleman."

"But, Mr. Folliard, will you hear me? there must, as I said, be some
mystery here; I certainly did recommend a young female named Herbert to
you, but I was utterly ignorant of what you mention."

Here the footman entered, and whispered something to Sir Robert, who
apologized to the squire for leaving him two or three minutes. "Here is
the last paper," said he, "and I trust that before you go I will be able
to remove clearly and fully the prejudices which you entertain against
me, and which originate, so far as I am concerned, in a mystery which I
am unable to penetrate."

He then followed the servant, who conducted him to Hennessy, whom he
found in the back parlor.

"Well, Mr. Hennessy," said he, impatiently, "what is the matter now?"

"Why," replied the other, "I have one as good as bagged, Sir Robert."

"One what?"

"Why, a priest, sir."

"Well, Mr. Hennessy, I am particularly engaged now; but as to Reilly,
can you not come upon his trail? I would rather have him than a dozen
priests; however, remain here for about twenty minutes, or say half an
hour, and I will talk with you at more length. For the present I am most
particularly engaged."

"Very well, Sir Robert, I shall await your leisure; but, as to Reilly, I
have every reason to think that he has left the country."

Sir Robert, on going into the hall, saw the porter open the door, and
Miss Herbert presented herself.

"Oh," said he, "is this you? I am glad you came; follow me into the
front parlor."

She accordingly did so; and after he had shut the door he addressed her
as follows:

"Now, tell me how the devil you were discovered; or were you accessory
yourself to the discovery, by your egregious folly and vanity?"

"Oh, la, Sir Robert, do you think I am a fool?"

"I fear you are little short of it," he replied; "at all events, you
have succeeded in knocking up my marriage with Miss Folliard. How did it
happen that they found you out?"

She then detailed to him the circumstances exactly as the reader is
acquainted with them.

He paused for some time, and then said, "There is some mystery at the
bottom of this which I must fathom. Have you any reason to know how the
family became acqu