is possible; but so barely possible, that I did not think it
right to keep the matter from you any longer."

"It would have been very wrong--very wicked, I may say," said the
countess.

"It is only two days since I knew anything of it myself," said he,
vindicating himself.

"You were of course bound to let me know immediately," she said,
harshly.

"And I have let you know immediately, Lady Desmond." And then they
were both again silent for a while.

"And Mr. Prendergast thinks there is no doubt?" she asked.

"None," said Herbert, very decidedly.

"And he has told your cousin Owen?"

"He did so yesterday; and by this time my poor mother knows it also."
And then there was another period of silence.

During the whole time Lady Desmond had uttered no one word of
condolence--not a syllable of commiseration for all the sufferings
that had come upon Herbert and his family; and he was beginning to
hate her for her harshness. The tenor of her countenance had become
hard; and she received all his words as a judge might have taken
them, merely wanting evidence before he pronounced his verdict. The
evidence she was beginning to think sufficient, and there could be no
doubt as to her verdict. After what she had heard, a match between
Herbert Fitzgerald and her daughter would be out of the question.
"It is very dreadful," she said, thinking only of her own child, and
absolutely shivering at the danger which had been incurred.

"It is very dreadful," said Herbert, shivering also. It was almost
incredible to him that his great sorrow should be received in such a
way by one who had professed to be so dear a friend to him.

"And what do you propose to do, Mr. Fitzgerald?" said the countess.

"What do I propose?" he said, repeating her words. "Hitherto I have
had neither time nor heart to propose anything. Such a misfortune
as that which I have told you does not break upon a man without
disturbing for a while his power of resolving. I have thought so much
of my mother, and of Clara, since Mr. Prendergast told me all this,
that--that--that--" And then a slight gurgling struggle fell upon his
throat and hindered him from speaking. He did not quite sob out, and
he determined that he would not do so. If she could be so harsh and
strong, he would be harsh and strong also.

And again Lady Desmond sat silent, still thinking how she had better
speak and act. After all she was not so cruel nor so bad as Herbert
Fitzgerald thought