as, and she put out her fair be-ringed hand and took
his, pressing it softly.

"Thank you, Sir Felix," she said. "I know you feel for us and I am
very grateful. Thank God, it is not as bad as it might have been. My
husband is sleeping quietly. The doctor is quite pleased."

"Thank God for that," said Sir Felix, echoing her. "He'll be back
amongst us again in no time. I came to tell you as soon as I could
that the ruffian Fury brought to me the other night has disappeared.
The effects of the drink worn off, I said to Fury, and gave him a sharp
touch-up about too much zeal. The fellow walks like a dancing-master,
and talks picking his words to conceal want of education. I pity the
men under him, I do indeed. I'm really sorry, Lady O'Gara, that I
troubled you with that cock and bull story the other night. I don't
anticipate that we'll hear any more about it."

"I'm glad my husband was not troubled with it," she said, and left her
hand in the kind gentleman's: he was wringing it hard, so that the
rings hurt her, but she would not have betrayed it for worlds.

A few more expressions of sympathy and of a desire to help and Sir
Felix was gone. She was left to her watch once more.

The house seemed extraordinarily quiet. The clock in the corridor
ticked away, marking the flight of time. Now and again a coal fell
from the fire on to the hearth, or some one came to know if anything
was wanted. Mary O'Gara, usually so full of energy, was content to sit
watching her husband's face on the pillow. Sir Felix's visit had
brought her a certain relief. She could put that worry away from
her--for the time. If the man had disappeared he had probably good
reasons for disappearing. Perhaps he would not come back. He might be
frightened of the thing he had done. Anyhow, she was grateful for so
much relief; and if Shawn was going to live she felt that she could
endure all other troubles.

After a time she remembered something--something that must be done.
Mrs. Comerford must be told about Stella. Perhaps the anger had died
down in her by this time, leaving her chilled and miserable, as Mary
O'Gara remembered her in the old days after some violent scene with
Terence.

She went to the writing-table in the room and wrote a note. She had
just placed it in its envelope when the doctor came and she gave it to
the servant who showed him up; bidding her give it to Patsy Kenny to be
sent to Inch by a special messenger.