"Oh, I must; I promised Miss Vernon; believe me, I am the only one likely to suffer from my imprudence; and then I will return no more till I have seen Egerton; or--in short, let us just cross the country here, the corn seems all cut, and it will break in the horses for the hunting." In accordance with my determination, I seized the first interval in a rather professional conversation between Colonel Dashwood and a retired General he had invited to dinner, to tell him of my accidental meeting with his old acquaintance; sinking the fact, however, of his having a grand-daughter. "What, old D'Arcy Vernon, of Dungar," he exclaimed; "how curious! and so he is living there, is he? I am sorry to hear it, he must have left Dungar then _in toto_?" "Or Dungar left him," sneered Hauton. "It was _en route_, if I am not much mistaken, when we were there." "The first day I can, I'll go over to A----, and bring back the old Colonel with me," said our good natured Commander. "I owe him a vast amount of hospitality, and shall be too glad to show him I have not forgotten it; poor fellow! at his age; he must be more than seventy-five!" "He looks remarkably well," I said, "just the same as ever." "The Irish have such happy temperaments," said Dashwood, turning to the General. "Yes, they are like the Niggers in many respects," said Hauton; "the more you beat them the better they be." I restrained my inclination to shy a decanter at his head with great difficulty. The ten succeeding days went over wonderfully well; I found the promised drawings of Dungar for Kate, and worked up the sketch I had taken of the Priory, to the very best of my abilities. I took long rides with Burton, and often without him, not finding him so congenial as I wished. I wrote a long letter to my sister, and made all proper enquiries for Lady Desmond, without, however, explaining the cause of my curiosity. It was so long since I had seen Mary; I did not know how her heart had stood the wear and tear of four years' dissipation. How fond we were of each other, as children! Finally, I wrote to Colonel Vernon, telling him about Dashwood and all the gossip I could think would amuse him; sending a message to Kate as to the drawings, and promising to be over with them in the course of the following week. Altogether, I was much too busy to look into my own affairs, but promised myself to overhaul them completely on my return from A----. I secured a week's leave, and determined to throw care to the dogs, and enjoy myself thoroughly. I started before almost any one, except Burton (whose habits were quiet and regular), was visible. He joined me as I stood on the steps, while my servant was placing my carpet bag and portfolio in the cab which was to convey me to the Railway. "So you're going, are you?" "Whatever skies above, Here's a heart for any fate!"