temper; he was by turns indignant and
alarmed; and after having passed a sleepless night, had been all the day
anxiously waiting Mrs Austin's return, when the sound of wheels was
heard, and the carriage of McShane drove up to the door. On inquiry if
Mr Austin was at home, the servants replied that they would ascertain;
and Austin, who imagined that this unusual visit might be connected with
his wife's mysterious absence, desired the butler to show in the
visitors. Austin started at the announcement of the names, but
recovering himself; he remained standing near the table, drawn up to his
full height.

"Mr Austin," said O'Donahue, "we have ventured to call upon you upon an
affair of some importance: as Mr Austin, we have not the pleasure of
your acquaintance, but we were formerly, if I mistake not, serving his
majesty in the same regiment."

"I do not pretend to deny, gentlemen, that you once knew me under
different circumstances," replied Austin, haughtily; "will you please to
be seated, and then probably you will favour me with the cause of this
visit."

"May I inquire of you, Mr Austin," said McShane, "if you may have
happened to look over the newspapers within these few days?"

"No! and now I recollect--which is unusual--the papers have not been
brought to me regularly."

"They were probably withheld from you in consequence of the intelligence
they would have conveyed to you."

"May I ask what that intelligence may be?" inquired Austin, surprised.

"The trial, conviction, and sentence to transportation for life of one
Joseph Rushbrook, for the murder of a man of the name of Byres," replied
McShane; "Mr Austin, you are of course aware that he is your son."

"You have, of course, seen the party, and he has made that statement to
you?" replied Mr Austin.

"We have seen the party, but he has not made that statement," replied
O'Donahue; "but do you pretend to deny it?"

"I am not aware upon what grounds you have thought proper to come here
to interrogate me," replied Austin. "Supposing that I had a son, and
that son has as you say been guilty of the deed, it certainly is no
concern of yours."

"First, with your leave, Mr Austin," said McShane, "let me prove that
he is your son. You were living at Grassford, where the murder was
committed; your son ran away in consequence, and fell into the hands of
Captain (now General) O'Donahue; from him your son was made over to me,
and I adopted him; but having been