“Nay, faith, Tony, I did not go so far. I praised her courage. I told her that not every man could have behaved so bravely.” MacNaghten paused at this. “And then--and then, sir,” cried Fagan, impatiently. Dan turned suddenly towards him, and, to his amazement, beheld a countenance tremulous with passionate excitement. “What then, sir? Tell me what then? I have a right to ask, and I will know it. I 'm her father, and I demand it.” “Why, what in Heaven's name is the matter?” exclaimed MacNaghten. “I have told you she is safe,--that she is yonder.” “I speak not of that, sir; and you know it,” cried Fagan, imperiously. “The dissimulation is unworthy of you. You ought to be a man of honor.” “Egad, good temper would be the best quality for me just now,” said the other, with a smile; “for you seem bent on testing it.” “I see it all,” cried Fagan, in a voice of anguish. “I see it all. Now hear me, Mr. MacNaghten. You are one who has seen much of the world, and will readily comprehend me. You are a man reputed to be kind-hearted, and you will not pain me by affecting a misunderstanding. Will you leave this to-morrow, and go abroad, say for a year or two? Give me your hand on it, and draw on me for one thousand pounds.” “Why, Tony, what has come over you? Is it the air of the place has disordered your excellent faculties? What can you mean?” “This is no answer to my question, sir,” said Fagan, rudely. “I cannot believe you serious in putting it,” said MacNaghten, half proudly. “Neither you nor any other man has the right to make such a proposal to me.” “I say that I have, sir. I repeat it. I am her father, and by one dash of my pen she is penniless to-morrow. Ay, by Heaven, it is what I will do if you drive me to it.” “At last I catch your meaning,” said MacNaghten, “and I see where your suspicions have been pointing at. No, no; keep your money. It might be a capital bargain for me, Tony, if I had the conscience to close with it; and if you knew but all, you 've no right to offer so much temptation. That path will bring you to the Castle. You 'll find Miss Polly in the library. Good-bye, Fagan.” And without waiting for a reply, MacNaghten turned abruptly away, and disappeared in the wood. Fagan stood for a second or two deep in thought, and then bent his steps towards the Castle. CHAPTER V. JOE RAPER The little incident which forms the subject of the last chapter occurred some weeks before my father's return to Ireland, and while as yet the fact of his marriage was still a secret to all, save his most intimate friends. The morning after Fagan's visit, however, MacNaghten received a few lines from my father, desiring him to look after and “pass” through the Custom House certain packages of value which would arrive there about that time. It chanced that poor Dan's circumstances just at this moment made seclusion the safer policy, and so he forwarded the commission to Fagan.