'Considering the mishap that befell him here, it is a mark of good feeling
to desire to see us all once more, don't you think so?'

'May be so,' muttered he drearily. 'At all events, it's not a pleasant
house he's coming to. Young O'Shea there upstairs, just out of a fever; and
old Miss Betty, that may arrive any moment.'

'There's no question of that. She says it would be ten days or a fortnight
before she is equal to the journey.'

'Heaven grant it!--hem--I mean that she'll be strong enough for it by that
time. At all events, if it is the same as to our fine friend, Mr. Walpole,
I wish he'd have taken his leave of us in a letter.'

'It is something new, papa, to see you so inhospitable.'

'But I am not inhospitable, Kitty. Show me the good fellow that would like
to pass an evening with me and think me good company, and he shall have the
best saddle of mutton and the raciest bottle of claret in the house. But
it's only mock-hospitality to be entertaining the man that only comes out
of courtesy and just stays as long as good manners oblige him.'

'I do not know that I should undervalue politeness, especially when it
takes the shape of a recognition.'

'Well, be it so,' sighed he, almost drearily. 'If the young gentleman is
so warmly attached to us all that he cannot tear himself away till he has
embraced us, I suppose there's no help for it. Where is Nina?'

'She was reading to Gorman when I saw her. She had just relieved Dick, who
has gone out for a walk.'

'A jolly house for a visitor to come to!' cried he sarcastically.

'We are not very gay or lively, it is true, papa; but it is not unlikely
that the spirit in which our guest comes here will not need much jollity.'

'I don't take it as a kindness for a man to bring me his depression and his
low spirits. I've always more of my own than I know what to do with. Two
sorrows never made a joy, Kitty.'

'There! they are lighting the lamps,' cried she suddenly. 'I don't think
they can be more than three miles away.'

'Have you rooms ready, if there be two coming?'

'Yes, papa, Mr. Walpole will have his old quarters; and the stag-room is in
readiness if there be another guest.'

'I'd like to have a house as big as the royal barracks, and every room of
it occupied!' cried Kearney, with a mellow ring in his voice. 'They talk
of society and pleasant company; but for real enjoyment there's nothing to
compare with what a man has under his own roof! No claret ev