e what followed."

And Herbert resumed in the same tone as before.

"Ha!" cried Sir Archy, in an accent of irrepressible delight, "so they
said your Latin smacked of Scotland. They scented Aberdeen in it. Well,
boy, we beat them--they canna deny that. The prize is ours--the better
that it was hardly fought for."

And thus they continued for some time to talk, as they walked side by
side through the garden; the old man's firm step and joyous look telling
of the pride that filled his heart, while Herbert poured forth in happy
confidence the long-treasured thoughts that crowded his brain; nor did
they cease their converse, till Kerry came to summon the youth to his
father's room.

"He's awake now," said Kerry, gazing with undisguised rapture on the
tall and handsome youth; "and it's a proud man he ought to be this day,
that has the pair like ye."

The young men smiled at the flattery, and arm in arm took then-way
towards the house.

CHAPTER XL. THE LULL BEFORE THE STORM.

Once again assembled beneath that old roof, the various members of the
family seemed more than ever disposed to make present happiness
atone for any troubles of the past. Never was the old O'Donoghue so
contented;--never did Sir Archy feel a lighter heart. Herbert's spirits
were buoyant and high as present success and hope could make them; and
Kate, whatever doubts might secretly have weighed upon her mind, did
her utmost to contribute to the general joy;--while Mark, over whose
temperament a calmer and less variable habit of thought prevailed,
seemed at least more reconciled to his fortunes.

The influences of tranquillity that prevailed over the land appeared to
have breathed their soothing sway over that humble dwelling, where life
rolled on like an unruflled stream, each day happy with that monotony
of enjoyment, so delicious to all whose minds have ever been tortured by
the conflicting cares of the world.

For many a year long the O'Donoghue had not been so free from troubles.
The loan he had contracted on Kate's fortune had relieved him from his
most pressing embarrassments, and left him money enough to keep other
creditors at bay. Sir Archy felt already he had received the earnest
of that success he so ardently desired for Herbert, and in the calm of
political life, hoped that the rash scheme in which Mark had em-. barked
was even now becoming forgotten; and that the time was not far remote
when no memory of it would be treasured a