as; he looked
back in the direction in which he had left his companion, and leaning
upon the battlement, he ruminated long and moodily. At length he raised
himself and said:

'He loves the girl, and WILL love her more--I have an opportunity of
winning favour, of doing service, which shall bind him to me; yes, he
shall have the girl, if I have art to compass the matter. I must think
upon it.'

He entered the avenue and was soon lost in the distance.

Days and weeks passed on, and young O'Mara daily took his rod and net,
and rambled up the river; and scarce twelve hours elapsed in which some
of those accidents, which invariably bring lovers together, did not
secure him a meeting of longer or shorter duration, with the beautiful
girl whom he so fatally loved.

One evening, after a long interview with her, in which he had been
almost irresistibly prompted to declare his love, and had all but
yielded himself up to the passionate impulse, upon his arrival at home
he found a letter on the table awaiting his return; it was from his
father to the following effect:

'To Richard O'Mara.
'September, 17--, L----m, England.

'MY DEAR SON,--
'I have just had a severe attack of
my old and almost forgotten enemy, the gout. This I regard as a good
sign; the doctors telling me that it is the safest development of
peccant humours; and I think my chest is less tormenting and oppressed
than I have known it for some years. My chief reason for writing to you
now, as I do it not without difficulty, is to let you know my pleasure
in certain matters, in which I suspect some shameful, and, indeed,
infatuated neglect on your part, "quem perdere vult deus prius
dementat:" how comes it that you have neglected to write to Lady Emily
or any of that family? the understood relation subsisting between you is
one of extreme delicacy, and which calls for marked and courteous, nay,
devoted attention upon your side. Lord ---- is already offended; beware
what you do; for as you will find, if this match be lost by your fault
or folly, by ---- I will cut you off with a shilling. I am not in the
habit of using threats when I do not mean to fulfil them, and that you
well know; however I do not think you have much real cause for alarm in
this case. Lady Emily, who, by the way, looks if possible more charming
than ever, is anything but hard-hearted, at least when YOU solicit; but
do as I desire, and lose no time in making what ex