r what and for whom he is doing it.'

And then she persuaded herself she would like to hear Donogan talk, as once
before she had heard him talk, of his hopes and his ambitions. There was
something in the high-sounding inspirations of the man, a lofty heroism in
all he said, that struck a chord in her Greek nature. The cause that was
so intensely associated with danger that life was always on the issue,
was exactly the thing to excite her heart, and, like the trumpet-blast to
the charger, she felt stirred to her inmost soul by whatever appealed to
reckless daring and peril. 'He shall tell me what he intends to do--his
plans, his projects, and his troubles. He shall tell me of his hopes, what
he desires in the future, and where he himself will stand when his efforts
have succeeded; and oh!' thought she, 'are not the wild extravagances of
these men better a thousand times than the well-turned nothings of the fine
gentlemen who surround us? Are not their very risks and vicissitudes more
manly teachings than the small casualties of the polished world? If life
were all "salon," taste perhaps might decide against them; but it is not
all "salon," or, if it were, it would be a poorer thing even than I think
it!' She turned to her desk as she said this, and wrote:--

'DEAR MR. DONOGAN,--I wish to thank you in person for the great kindness
you have shown me, though there is some mistake on your part in the matter.
I cannot suppose you are able to come here openly, but if you will be in
the garden on Saturday evening at 9 o'clock, I shall be there to meet you.
I am, very truly yours,

'NINA KOSTALERGI.'

'Very imprudent--scarcely delicate--perhaps, all this, and for a girl who
is to be married to another man in some three weeks hence, but I will
tell Cecil Walpole all when he returns, and if he desires to be off his
engagement, he shall have the liberty. I have one-half at least of the
Bayard Legend, and if I cannot say I am "without reproach," I am certainly
without fear.'

The letter-bag lay in the hall, and Nina went down at once and deposited
her letter in it; this done, she lay down on her bed, not to sleep, but to
think over Donogan and his letter till daybreak.

CHAPTER LXXXII

THE BREAKFAST-ROOM

'Strange house this,' said Joseph Atlee, as Nina entered the room the next
morning where he sat alone at breakfast. 'Lord Kilgobbin and Dick were here
a moment ago, and disappeared suddenly; Miss Kearney for an inst