that she had to learn to hear things to which she had hitherto not been
accustomed.

This was all very well;--but Lady Scroope, having a friend in Co. Clare,
thought that she might receive tidings of the adopted one which would be
useful, and with this object she opened a correspondence with Lady Mary
Quin. Lady Mary Quin was a daughter of the Earl of Kilfenora, and was
well acquainted with all County Clare. She was almost sure to hear of
the doings of any officers stationed at Ennis, and would do so certainly
in regard to an officer that was specially introduced to her. Fred
Neville was invited to stay at Castle Quin as long as he pleased, and
actually did pass one night under its roof. But, unfortunately for him,
that spirit of adventure which he was determined to indulge led him into
the neighbourhood of Castle Quin when it was far from his intention to
interfere with the Earl or with Lady Mary, and thus led to the following
letter which Lady Scroope received about the middle of December,--just a
week before Fred's return to the Manor.


QUIN CASTLE, ENNISTIMON,
14 December, 18--.

MY DEAR LADY SCROOPE,

Since I wrote to you before, Mr. Neville has been here once, and we
all liked him very much. My father was quite taken with him. He is
always fond of the young officers, and is not the less inclined to
be so of one who is so dear and near to you. I wish he would have
stayed longer, and hope that he shall come again. We have not much
to offer in the way of amusement, but in January and February there