to avoid further amatory allusions, Lady Sarah said:

'I do not think we shall soon have bread, much less flowers, to place on
our tables, if the Government do not step in and put down the revolution
that is going on in this country.'

Everyone, except the young girls, looked questioningly at each other,
and the mutuality of their interests on this point became at once
apparent.

'Ah, Lord Dungory! do you think we shall be able to collect our rents
this year? What reduction do you intend to give?'

Lord Dungory, who had no intention of showing his hand, said:

'The Land League has, I believe, advised the people to pay no more than
Griffith's valuation. I do not know if your lands are let very much
above it?'

'If you have not seen the _Evening Mail_ you have probably not heard of
the last terrible outrage,' said Captain Hibbert; and, amid a profound
silence, he continued: 'I do not know if anybody here is acquainted with
a Mr. Macnamara; he lives in Meath.'

'Oh! you don't say anything has happened to him? I knew his cousin,'
exclaimed Mrs. Gould.

Captain Hibbert looked round with his bland, good-looking stare, and, as
no nearer relative appeared to be present, he resumed his story: