n debt to her old
associates, and wished to be doubly kind to them.

Pat took advantage of the diversion to stand up quietly and have a
shake. He then began to kiss his mistress's hand, to show that all was
right on both sides; and followed this with a playful pretence at a
bite, that there might be no subsequent misunderstanding, and then
a bark and a whine. As no attention was paid to this amount of
plain-speaking, Pat made a bolt. He got no farther than the length of
the whip, and all he gained was to bring on himself the terrible word
of drill once more. But Pat had tasted liberty. Irish rebellion against
constituted authority was exhibited. Pat would not: his ears tossed
over his head, and he jumped to right and left, and looked the raggedest
rapparee that ever his ancestry trotted after. Rose laughed at his
fruitless efforts to get free; but Ferdinand meditatively appeared to
catch a sentiment in them.

'Down-charge, Sir, will you? Ah, Pat! Pat! You'll have to obey me, my
boy. Now, down-charge!'

While Rose addressed the language of reason to Pat, Ferdinand slipped in
a soft word or two. Presently she saw him on one knee.

'Pat won't, and I will,' said he.

'But Pat shall, and you had better not,' said she. 'Besides, my dear
Ferdinand,' she added, laughing, 'you don't know how to do it.'

'Do you want me to prostrate on all fours, Rose?'

'No. I hope not. Do get up, Ferdinand. You'll be seen from the windows.'

Instead of quitting his posture, he caught her hand, and scared her with
a declaration.

'Of all men, you to be on your knees! and to me, Ferdinand!' she cried,
in discomfort.

'Why shouldn't I, Rose?' was this youth's answer.

He had got the idea that foreign cavalier manners would take with her;
but it was not so easy to make his speech correspond with his posture,
and he lost his opportunity, which was pretty. However, he spoke plain
English. The interview ended by Rose releasing Pat from drill, and
running off in a hurry. Where was Evan? She must have his consent to
speak to her mother, and prevent a recurrence of these silly scenes.

Evan was with Caroline, his sister.

It was contrary to the double injunction of the Countess that Caroline
should receive Evan during her absence, or that he should disturb
the dear invalid with a visit. These two were not unlike both in
organization and character, and they had not sat together long before
they found each other out. Now, to further Evan's