ed; and
this letter, so far from dispelling the doubts, increased them tenfold.
Besides this, there seemed some reason to fear that Kate was not quite
indifferent to him. The disparity of years was so far in his favour, as
she could not but feel flattered by the notice of one so conversant with
the world and its ways, who had travelled and seen so much, and might
in every respect be deemed a competent judge in matters of taste. Any
comparison of him with Mark must redound with great advantage to the
former. The accomplished scholar, the agreeable and well-bred man of
society, was a severe competitor for the half-educated and slovenly
youth, whose awkward and bashful manner seemed rather ill-temper than
mere diffidence. Mark was himself conscious of the disadvantages he
laboured under, and although Sir Archy had few fears that such an
admirer was likely to win favour with the gay and capricious girl, whose
foreign habits had taught her to value social qualities at the highest
price, still, there was a chance that Hemsworth might have thought
differently, and that jealousy was the secret of the whole scheme.
Kate, with her ten thousand pounds of a rent-charge, might be a very
reasonable object of Hemsworth's ambition; and when already he had
absorbed so large a portion of the family estates, this additional lien
would nearly make him master of the entire. It was, then, perfectly
possible that this was his game, and that in withdrawing Mark from the
scene, he both calculated on the gratitude his generosity would evoke,
and more securely provided for his own success. While Sir Archy thus
pondered over Hemsworth's motives, he did not neglect the more pressing
consideration of Mark's danger. It was evident that he had taken an
active part in the insurrectionary movement, and without the slightest
precautions for his personal safety. The first care, therefore, was to
see and learn from him the full extent of his danger, what proofs there
existed against him, and what evidence, either in writing or otherwise,
might be adduced to his disadvantage.

"Tell me, frankly and freely, Mark," said he, aloud, as he arose and
paced the room; "tell me, openly, how you stand, who are your betrayers,
what your dangers, and I'll answer for it the peril may be averted."

"I have come to do so, sir," said a voice behind him--and Mark
O'Donoghue was standing at the door.

CHAPTER XXXVIII. TAMPERING AND PLOTTING

While they who meditate