rmation of your intimacy with
him was obtained by the police, who, for political reasons--you are
aware of what I mean--would strain a point to have caught you within
their grasp. There were letters too, Mark, written by you, and of such
a character as would, if proved against you, haye cost your life; these,
Hemsworth, by some means, obtained and destroyed."

"Ah, did he so," cried Mark, eagerly, for now a sudden light broke in
upon him of the game that Hemsworth had played, "and so, he burned my
letters?"

"You know now, then, something of the services he rendered you," said
the old man, who began at last to be satisfied that his conviction was
coming home to Mark's mind.

"I do," replied he, calmly, "I believe that I can appreciate his
kindness, and I believe also I may promise that I shall not prove
ungrateful--and Kate, sir, what said she to those revelations concerning
me?"

"What we all said, Mark, that nothing dishonourable would ever lie at
your door--there might be rashness, imprudence, and folly, but guilt or
dishonour never."

"And my uncle, he is generally a shrewd and cautious judge--what was his
opinion?"

"Faith it is hard to say, Mark, but I think with all his affected
freedom from prejudice, he nourishes his old notions about Hemsworth as
strong as ever, and persists in thinking the Travers' family everything
amiable and high-minded, indeed, he forced me to let Herbert accompany
them to England, for I let him take the boy into his own hands, and so,
as the invitation had been made and accepted before Kate had refused the
Captain's offer, I thought it would look better even to suffer matters
to take their course quietly, as if nothing had happened."

"It was well done," said Mark, assentingly, "and now I have heard
enough to dream over for one night at least, and so I'll to bed."

"Remember, Mark," said the O'Donoghue, grasping his son's arm, "remember
I am solemnly pledged to Hemsworth never to tell you anything of these
matters--it was a promise he exacted from me--I rely upon you, Mark, not
to betray me."

"My discretion is above price, sir," said Mark, smiling dubiously, and
left the room.

CHAPTER XXXVI. SUSPICIONS ON EVERY SIDE

Early on the following morning Mark O'Donoughue was on his way to "the
Lodge." To see Hemsworth, and dare him to a proof of his assertions
regarding him, or provoke him, if possible, to a quarrel, were his
waking thoughts throughout the night, and not