“Yes, Mr. Cashel, your old friend in better health and spirits than when last you saw him; and better able to thank you for much hospitality, and apologize for much injustice.” “Let me have my share in both acknowledgments,” said Lady Kilgoff, rising, and taking Cashel's hand with much cordiality. Roland tried to mutter a few words, but he could not succeed; and his eyes ranged about the chamber till they fell upon one who, pale and motionless, regarded him with a look of most expressive sadness. “Miss Leicester, too, here?” said he, at last. “Yes, Mr. Cashel,” said Lady Kilgoff; “chance is about to do for us what all our skill would have failed in. Here are two worthy people who will not hear your name mentioned, and who now must consent, not alone to hear, but see you in person. I am quite convinced you never did or could have injured them. Stand forward, Mr. Corrigan, and make your charge.” “I will save that gentleman the pain of accusing me,” said Roland, with deep emotion. “I have injured him deeply, but yet unwittingly. I have long desired this meeting, to place in his hands a document I have never ceased to carry about me,--the title to a property of which I was not the rightful owner, and which is his--and his only.” “I will not, I cannot accept of it, sir,” said Corrigan, proudly. “I will never see that cottage more.” “I do not speak of 'the Cottage,'” said Cashel, “but of the whole estate of Tubbermore, the ancient possession of your house--still yours. There is the proof.” And, as he spoke, he drew forth the pardon, and handed it to Corrigan. The old man trembled in every limb as he perused the paper, which he now read over for the third time. “A royal pardon to Miles Corrigan, my grandfather?” exclaimed he, gasping for breath; “and how came you by this, sir?” “The story is soon told,” said Cashel, relating in a few words the singular steps of the discovery. “And you have travelled throughout Europe for upwards of three years to disencumber yourself of £16,000 a year?” said the ambassador, smiling good-naturedly. “I have done so to disencumber myself of the weight of an injustice.” “And this is the youth you would accuse of deception?” said Lady Kilgoff, haughtily. “Forgive me, Lady; forgive one who has suffered too heavily from the world not to fall into the error of thinking once unjustly of a benefactor.” “I have no title to the name, sir,” said Cashel. “Nay, more. I am your debtor for wealth which I squandered, believing it my own.” “I knew him better than any of you,” cried old Dr. Tiernay, rushing forward and grasping Cashel by both hands. “My own generous, high-hearted boy. Come here, Mary; tell him candidly that you, too, were always of my opinion. This is no time for coyness. Let us have a little honesty after all this deception.” He drew Cashel to one side, and, in a deep whisper, said, “What of that Spanish girl?--Are you married or not?”