Her thoughts rambled on in this way for some time, over many a varied topic, till she was roused by Cormac's very unusual efforts to gain admittance without leave. "Well come in, good dog, but be quiet," and the hound immediately placed himself by his master's chair; and Kate was speaking to him in a low voice, when the postman's knock, they had so long guarded against, but did not expect at that unaccustomed hour, shook the frail walls of the habitation, and Kate rose from her chair, trembling for her grandfather. He woke suddenly, startled, but not so much as Kate had feared, and at the same moment nurse entered with a letter. "From Georgina," cried Kate, opening it with trembling haste; she read aloud. "'Good heavens, dearest Kate, how unfortunate that I should have come here.' "She writes from Lucca. "'Your letter was not forwarded to me for ten days after I left Florence. I start to-morrow for England, and God grant the passes may not be snowed up; I hope to reach you as soon almost as this does; keep up your spirits; tell the Colonel I know his wishes, I fully understand his anxiety for your writing. The courier waits for my letter. God bless you--Yours in haste and much affliction.--G. Desmond.'" "What is the date?" asked the Colonel, feebly. "It has none, except the place; she evidently writes in the greatest haste." "Look at the cover." "It is so rubbed and soiled I can make nothing out, but a 'Fir' and 'Marzo.'" "She will be here to-morrow," said the Colonel, with sudden decision. "My God, I thank thee!" he murmured. "Kate, my love, I feel exhausted, some wine." She flew to get it, and, after taking a little, he leaned back, drowsily, she settled the cushions for his head, and knelt down to feel if his feet were cold; he stretched out his hand feebly, and laid it on her head; the old hound, whom they had not noticed, drew closer, and licked the hand that had so often caressed him. "God bless you darling, from the hour of your birth, you have been an unalloyed blessing to me." Kate rose, and kissed him fondly-- "Go to sleep, dearest grandpapa." "Yes, for she will be here to-morrow. I feel so happy, Kate!" "Thank Heaven!" she ejaculated; and returning to her seat, watched the sleeper for some time, rejoicing to see an expression of almost heavenly happiness and calm gradually stealing over his features. The old hound, too, shared her vigil, laying his head couched on his fore-paws, his eyes fixed on his master. So she sat, sometimes, raising her heart to God, with a feeling of thankfulness, though she knew not why, except that she ever looked, in spite of her cooler reason, to Lady Desmond's return as to a great deliverance. The evening closed in, and still her grandfather lay in calm, unbroken repose. The old dog, at length, grew restless, he raised his head, and half rose up, as if to approach his master, and when Kate spoke to him, lay down again, with a low, complaining whine. Miss Vernon rung--