out success. It had
something to do with an idea about, spite, and whether it was possible
that Brookes had killed these sheep on purpose to make it seem that
Leather was lurking about destroying his late employer's property, so
that, when once this idea took deep root, another expedition might be
planned for the purpose of hunting the convict down, and relieving him
of an object which caused him constant dread.

But Nic gave Brookes the benefit of a doubt, and rode silently on till
he was in sight of the house, when he suddenly pressed his horse's sides
and galloped forward.

For he had caught sight of a light waggon drawn up in front; there were
horses and men about, and he felt that something important had taken
place in his absence.

Ten minutes later he was grasping his father's hands, and then those of
the governor, who looked very pale and thin. Lastly those of Lady
O'Hara, who held his tightly.

"Oh! just look at him," she cried; "why, he's brown as chestnuts and
getting as big as a man. Sure, and what do ye water him with, Mrs
Braydon, to make him grow like that?"

"Yes, he has grown," said Nic's mother, smiling with pride.

"Grown! why, he's shot up like a palm tree. Nic, boy, we've come up
with your father for me husband to get quite cured: will you have us for
a bit?"

Nic's eyes silently gave their answer as he clung to lady O'Hara's hand,
just as he did that day when she came to the Friary to fetch him from
school, not so very long back; but so many events had happened since,
that it seemed an age to the boy, who felt how different he was since
then.

"You don't deserve for us to come, Mrs Braydon," said Lady O'Hara as
they sat over their homely meal that evening, "for you never come to
stay with me, nor the girls neither."

"You see what a simple farmhouse life we lead," said Mrs Braydon,
smiling. "We are not fit for Government House."

"Now just hark at her, John!" cried the lady. "Do we want her to come
and see Government House? It's to see us."

"Mrs Braydon knows that," said Sir John gravely, "and how deeply we are
in her debt. Here we are, after robbing her of her natural protector
all this time, come to trouble her more."

"Then let's go back, John," said Lady O'Hara dilly; "sure we're not
welcome. We're too foine for her."

"Lady O'Hara!" cried Mrs Braydon indignantly.

"That's brought her to her senses," said the visitor, rising and going
to Mrs Braydon to kiss her affe