in terms the most flattering and cordial,
arrived when the O'Donoghues were seated at breakfast, and, as was usual
on all occasions of correspondence, was opened by Kate herself; scarcely
had she thrown her eyes over its contents, when, with a heightened
colour, and a slight tremor in her voice, she passed the letter across
the table to her uncle, and said--"This is for your consideration, sir."

"Then, you must read it for me, Kate," replied he; "for my ears have
outlived my eyes."

"Shall I do it," interposed Sir Archy, who, having remarked some
hesitation in Kate's manner, came thus good-naturedly to the rescue.

"With all my heart, Archy," said the O'Donoghue; "or rather, if
you would do me a favour, just tell me what it is about--polite
correspondence affects me pretty much as the ceremonies of bowing and
salutation, when I have a fit of the gout. I become devilish impatient,
and would give the world it was all over, and that I were back in my
easy chair again."

"The politeness in the present case, lies less in the style than in the
substance," said Sir Archy. "This is a vara civil, though, I must say,
to me a vara unwelcome proposal, to take our darling Kate away from
us, for a season, and show her some of the life and gaieties of the
capital."

"Well, that is handsomely done, at least," said the O'Donoghue, whose
first thought sprung from gratified pride, at the palpable evidence of
social consideration; then suddenly changing his tone, he said in a low
voice; "but what says Kate herself?"

Mark turned his eyes full upon her, as his father said these words, and
as a deadly pallor came over his face, he sat steadfastly awaiting her
reply, like one expecting the decree of a judge.

"Kate feels too happy here, sir, to risk anything by a change," replied
she, avoiding, even for a second, to look towards where Mark was
sitting.

"But you must not lose such an opportunity, dearest Kate;" whispered
Herbert eagerly into her ear. "These are the scenes, and the places you
are used to, and best fitted to enjoy and to adorn, and besides----"

A stern frown from Mark, who, if he had not overheard the speech, seemed
to have guessed its import, suddenly arrested the youth, who now looked
overwhelmed with confusion.

"We are a divided cabinet; that I see plainly enough, Kate;" said
O'Donoghue; "though, if our hearts were to speak out, I'd warrant they
would be of one mind. Still, this would be a selfish verdict, my