was so noble. And yet all through this she was
true to Herbert. Another work-a-day world had come upon her in her
womanhood, and as that came she had learned to love a man of another
stamp, with a love that was quieter, more subdued, and perhaps, as
she thought, more enduring. Whatever might be Herbert's lot in life,
that lot she would share. Her love for Owen should never be more to
her than a dream.

"Did he send you to me?" she said at last, without turning her face
away from the window.

"Yes, then, he did; he did send me to you, and he told me to say that
as Owen of Hap House he loved you still. And I, I promised to do his
bidding; and I promised, moreover, that as far as my good word could
go with you, he should have it. And now you know it all; if you care
for my pleasure in the matter you will take Owen, and let Herbert
have his property. By Jove! if he is treated in that way he cannot
complain."

"Patrick," said she, returning to him and again laying her hand on
him. "You must now take my message also. You must go to him and bid
him come here that I may see him."

"Who? Owen?"

"Yes, Owen Fitzgerald."

"Very well, I have no objection in life." And the earl thought that
the difficulty was really about to be overcome. "And about my
mother?"

"I will tell mamma."

"And what shall I say to Owen?"

"Say nothing to him, but bid him come here. But wait, Patrick; yes;
he must not misunderstand me; I can never, never, never marry him."

"Clara!"

"Never, never; it is impossible. Dear Patrick, I am so sorry to
make you unhappy, and I love you so very dearly,--better than ever,
I think, for speaking as you do now. But that can never be. Let
him come here, however, and I myself will tell him all." At last,
disgusted and unhappy though he was, the earl did accept the
commission, and again on that afternoon rode across the fields to Hap
House.

"I will tell him nothing but that he is to come," said the earl
to himself as he went thither. And he did tell Owen nothing else.
Fitzgerald questioned him much, but learned but little from him. "By
heavens, Owen," he said, "you must settle the matter between you, for
I don't understand it. She has bid me ask you to come to her; and now
you must fight your own battle." Fitzgerald of course said that he
would obey, and so Lord Desmond left him.

In the evening Clara told her mother. "Owen Fitzgerald is to be here
to-morrow," she said.

"Owen Fitzgerald; is he?" sa