ou were to be here to-day or to-morrow,
and I took it for granted therefore it 'd be the day afther. But you're
as good as the best of your word." The Earl of Scroope got off the car,
and holding the priest's hand, answered the kindly salutation. But he
did so with a constrained air and with a solemnity which the priest
also attributed to his newly-begotten rank. Fred Neville,--as he had
been a week or two since,--was almost grovelling in the dust before
the priest's eyes; but the priest for the moment thought that he was
wrapping himself up in the sables and ermine of his nobility. However,
he had come back,--which was more perhaps than Father Marty had
expected,--and the best must be made of him with reference to poor
Kate's future happiness. "You're going on to Ardkill, I suppose, my
Lord," he said.

"Yes;--certainly; but I intended to take the Liscannor road on purpose
to see you. I shall leave the car at Liscannor and walk up. You could
not return, I suppose?"

"Well,--yes,--I might."

"If you could, Father Marty--"

"Oh, certainly." The priest now saw that there was something more in the
man's manner than lordly pride. As the Earl got again up on his car, the
priest turned his horse, and the two travelled back through the village
without further conversation. The priest's horse was given up to the boy
in the yard, and he then led the way into the house. "We are not much
altered in our ways, are we, my Lord?" he said as he moved a bottle of
whiskey that stood on the sideboard. "Shall I offer you lunch?"

"No, thank you, Father Marty;--nothing, thank you." Then he made a gasp
and began. The bad hour had arrived, and it must be endured. "I have
come back, as you see, Father Marty. That was a matter of course."

"Well, yes, my Lord. As things have gone it was a matter of course."

"I am here. I came as soon as it was possible that I should come. Of
course it was necessary that I should remain at home for some days after
what has occurred at Scroope."

"No doubt;--no doubt. But you will not be angry with me for saying that
after what has occurred here, your presence has been most anxiously
expected. However here you are, and all may yet be well. As God's
minister I ought perhaps to upbraid. But I am not given to much
upbraiding, and I love that dear and innocent young face too well to
desire anything now but that the owner of it should receive at your
hands that which is due to her before God and man."

He p