vent the awkwardness which Sir Marmaduke foresaw might arise, from
the blundering announcement Kerry would inevitably make of their names,
he having repeated over and over as he went along, by way of refreshing
his memory, "Sir Marmaduke, Sir Marmaduke Travers," the old gentleman
stepped forward as the door opened, and presented himself by name,
introducing his daughter at the same time.

The O'Donoghue, seated in his chair, half rose, for it was one of his
gouty days, and he could not stir without great difficulty, and with an
air and voice which bespoke the gentleman, welcomed his guests.

Herbert's eyes gleamed with delight as he gazed on the party; and
Sir Archibald, bowing with an ancient grace that would have suited a
courtier of a century previous, presented chairs to each, going through
the ceremonial of a new obeisance to every one of the group. Kate
O'Donoghue was not in the room, nor Mark--the latter, indeed, had not
returned to the castle since the day previous.

The ordinary greetings over, and Sir Marmaduke having expressed, in
well-chosen phrase, the gratitude he had so long laboured to acquit, the
conversation became easy and agreeable. Sir Marmaduke, seating himself
next O'Donoghue, had entered into a discussion of the state of the
country and the people--Frederic, beside Herbert's chair, was conversing
with the boy by lively sallies and pleasant stories, that flowed the
more rapidly as the listener was an eager one; while Sir Archibald,
standing in an attitude of respectful attention, had engaged Miss
Travers in a conversation about the glen and its scenery, to which his
own correct taste and thorough appreciation of the picturesque, gave a
charm and piquancy that already interested her deeply. So naturally easy
and unaffected was the tone of their reception, that all astonishment at
finding their host so superior to their anticipation, was merged in
the pleasure that Travers felt in the interview. The good-tempered
heartiness of the O'Donoghue himself--his frank speech, his ready
humour, won each moment more and more on Sir Marmaduke. Frederic, too,
never grew wearied of the fresh and joyous spirit which gleamed out
at every look and word from Herbert, whose ardent temperament and
high-hearted nature caught up the enthusiasm of a spirit like his own;
and, as for Sybella, the charm of Sir Archy's manner, whose perfection
was its adaptation to the society of ladies, delighted her greatly,
and she soon