s, and she will be delighted
to have us. If we never show ourselves it would be as though we
acknowledged ourselves to be crushed. And to tell the truth, papa, I
don't think it is quite fair to Ada to keep her here always. She is
very beautiful, and at the same time fond of society. She is doing
her duty here bravely; there is nothing about the house that she will
not put her hand to. She is better than any servant for the way she
does her work. I think you ought to let her go; it is but for the one
night."

"And you?" asked the father.

"I must go with her, I suppose, to keep her company."

"And are not you fond of society?"

"No;--not as she is. I like the rattle very well just for a few
minutes."

"And are not you beautiful?" he asked.

"Good gracious, no! Don't be such a goose, papa."

"To me you are quite as lovely as is Ada."

"Because you are only a stupid, old papa," but she kissed him as she
said it. "You have no right to expect to have two beauties in the
family. If I were a beauty I should go away and leave you, as will
Ada. It's her destiny to be carried off by someone. Why not by some
of these gallant fellows at Galway? It's my destiny to remain at
home; and so you may know what you have got to expect."

"If it should turn out to be so, there will be one immeasurable
comfort to me in the midst of all my troubles."

"It shall be so," said she, whispering into his ear. "But, papa, you
will let us go to this ball in Galway, will you not? Ada has set her
heart upon it." So the matter was settled.

The answer to Captain Clayton, sent by Edith, was as follows; but
it was not sent till the boy had been allowed to stuff himself with
buttered toast and tea, which, to such a boy, is the acme of all
happiness.

Morony Castle, 8th of May, 1881.

DEAR CAPTAIN CLAYTON,

We will both come, of course, and are infinitely obliged
to you for the trouble you have taken on our behalf. Papa
will not come, of course. Frank will, no doubt; but he is
out after a salmon in the Hacketstown river. I hope he
will get one, as we are badly off for provisions. If he
cannot find a salmon, I hope he will find trout, or we
shall have nothing for three days running. Ada and I think
we can manage a leg of mutton between us, as far as the
cooking goes, but we haven't had a chance of trying our
hands yet. Frank, however, will write to the officers by
post. We shall sleep the night at