owner, and which is his--and his only."

"I will not, I cannot accept of it, sir," said Corrigan, proudly. "I
will never see that cottage more."

"I do not speak of 'the Cottage,'" said Cashel, "but of the whole estate
of Tubbermore, the ancient possession of your house--still yours. There
is the proof." And, as he spoke, he drew forth the pardon, and handed it
to Corrigan.

The old man trembled in every limb as he perused the paper, which he now
read over for the third time.

"A royal pardon to Miles Corrigan, my grandfather?" exclaimed he,
gasping for breath; "and how came you by this, sir?"

"The story is soon told," said Cashel, relating in a few words the
singular steps of the discovery.

"And you have travelled throughout Europe for upwards of three years to
disencumber yourself of L16,000 a year?" said the ambassador, smiling
good-naturedly.

"I have done so to disencumber myself of the weight of an injustice."

"And this is the youth you would accuse of deception?" said Lady
Kilgoff, haughtily.

"Forgive me, Lady; forgive one who has suffered too heavily from
the world not to fall into the error of thinking once unjustly of a
benefactor."

"I have no title to the name, sir," said Cashel. "Nay, more. I am your
debtor for wealth which I squandered, believing it my own."

"I knew him better than any of you," cried old Dr. Tiernay, rushing
forward and grasping Cashel by both hands. "My own generous,
high-hearted boy. Come here, Mary; tell him candidly that you, too, were
always of my opinion. This is no time for coyness. Let us have a little
honesty after all this deception." He drew Cashel to one side, and, in
a deep whisper, said, "What of that Spanish girl?--Are you married or
not?"

Roland smiled at the eagerness of the old man's manner, and, in
half-sadness, said, "Poor Maritana is now a fugitive--we know not
where."

A sudden commotion at the door, and a tumult of voices, interrupted the
scene, and Rica rushed in, crying in ecstasy, "She is found--my child is
found!"

The travellers of the diligence passing through the wood of Versailles
had discovered the form of a sleeping girl at the foot of a tree, and
carried her back with them to Paris. Enrique himself, being among them,
recognized her at once, and soon succeeded in finding out Rica, into
whose arms he restored her.

While Rica hurriedly poured forth this explanation, old Corrigan stood
tremulous with agitation, and at last, advanci