CHAPTER VIII

He had put forward this condition, perfectly sure that she would refuse
to accept it. He could not understand.

"You accept that condition?"

"Yes." Having gone thus far with her plot, Kitty would have died
rather than retreated; Irish temperament.

Thomas was moved to a burst of confidence. "I know that I am poor, and
to the best of my belief, honest. Moreover, perhaps I should be
compelled by the exigencies of circumstance to leave you after a few
months. I am not a rich man, masquerading for the sport of it; I am
really poor and grateful for any work. It is only fair that I should
tell you this much, that I am running away from no one. Beyond the
fact that I am the son of a very great but unknown scholar, a farmer of
mediocre talents who lost his farm because he dreamed of humanity
instead of cabbages, I have nothing to say." He said it gravely,
without pride or veiled hauteur.

"That is frank enough," replied Kitty, curiously stirred. "You will
not find us hard task-masters. Be here this afternoon at three. My
father will wish to talk to you. And be as frank with him as you have
been with me."

She smiled and nodded brightly, and turned away. He had a glimpse of a