erposed Walpole, 'we must take care that that stupid
blunder does not get into the local papers, or we shall have it circulated
by the London press.'

'I have already thought of that,' said Dick, 'and I shall go into Moate
to-morrow and see about it.'

'Does that mean to say that you desert croquet?' said Nina imperiously.

'You have got Lieutenant O'Shea in my place, and a better player than me
already.'

'I fear I must take my leave to-morrow,' said Gorman, with a touch of real
sorrow, for in secret he knew not whither he was going.

'Would your aunt not spare you to us for a few days?' said the old man. 'I
am in no favour with her just now, but she would scarcely refuse what we
would all deem a great favour.'

'My aunt would not think the sacrifice too much for her,' said Gorman,
trying to laugh at the conceit.

'You shall stay,' murmured Nina, in a tone only audible to him; and by a
slight bow he acknowledged the words as a command.

'I believe my best way,' said Gorman gaily, 'will be to outstay my leave,
and take my punishment, whatever it be, when I go back again.'

'That is military morality,' said Walpole, in a half-whisper to Kate, but
to be overheard by Nina. 'We poor civilians don't understand how to keep a
debtor and creditor account with conscience.'

'Could you manage to provoke that man to quarrel with you?' said Nina
secretly to Gorman, while her eyes glanced towards Walpole.

'I think I might; but what then? _He_ wouldn't fight, and the rest of
England would shun me.'

'That is true,' said she slowly. 'When any is injured here, he tries to
make money out of it. I don't suppose you want money?'

'Not earned in that fashion, certainly. But I think they are saying
good-night.'

'They're always boasting about the man that found out the safety-lamp,'
said old Kearney, as he moved away; 'but give me the fellow that invented a
flat candlestick!'

CHAPTER XLIII

SOME NIGHT-THOUGHTS

When Gorman reached his room, into which a rich flood of moonlight was
streaming, he extinguished his candle, and, seating himself at the open
window, lighted his cigar, seriously believing he was going to reflect on
his present condition, and forecast something of the future. Though he
had spoken so cavalierly of outstaying his time, and accepting arrest
afterwards, the jest was by no means so palatable now that he was alone,
and could own to himself that the leave he possessed was the unlimited
liber