allow himself to be so. But he was not avaricious,
nor cruel, nor self-seeking, nor vindictive. In his anger he could
pronounce all manner of ill things against his enemy, as he had
pronounced some ill things against Herbert; but it was not in him to
keep up a sustained wish that those ill things should really come to
pass. This news which he now heard, and which he did not yet fully
credit, struck him with awe, but created no triumph in his bosom.
He realized the catastrophe as it affected his cousins of Castle
Richmond rather than as it affected himself.

"Do you mean to say that Lady Fitzgerald--" and then he stopped
himself. He had not the courage to ask the question which was in his
mind. Could it really be the case that Lady Fitzgerald,--that she
whom all the world had so long honoured under that name, was in truth
the wife of that man's father,--of the father of that wretch whom
he had just spurned from his house? The tragedy was so deep that he
could not believe in it.

"We fear that it is so, Mr. Fitzgerald," said Mr. Prendergast. "That
it certainly is so I cannot say. And therefore, if I may take the
liberty to give you counsel, I would advise you not to make too
certain of this change in your prospects."

"Too certain!" said he, with a bitter laugh. "Do you suppose then
that I would wish to see all this ruin accomplished? Heavens and
earth! Lady Fitzgerald--! I cannot believe it."

And then Captain Donnellan also returned to the room. "Fitzgerald,"
said he, "what the mischief are we to do with this fellow? He says
that he can't walk, and he bleeds from his face like a pig."

"What fellow? Oh, do what you like with him. Here: give him a pound
note, and let him go to the d----. And Donnellan, for heaven's sake
go to Cecilstown at once. Do not wait for me. I have business that
will keep me here all day."

"But I do not know what to do with this fellow that's bleeding," said
the captain, piteously, as he took the proffered note. "If he puts up
with a pound note for what you've done to him, he's softer than what
I take him for."

"He will be very glad to be allowed to escape without being given up
to the police," said Mr. Prendergast.

"But I don't know what to do with him," said Captain Donnellan. "He
says that he can't stand."

"Then lay him down on the dunghill," said Owen Fitzgerald; "but
for heaven's sake do not let him interrupt me. And, Donnellan, you
will altogether lose the day if you stay any