have known that," replied Neville, in answer to her question.

"They are perfect mysteries to us," said Lady Mary.

"I think that Miss O'Hara is the prettiest girl I ever saw in my life,"
said Fred boldly, "and I should say the handsomest woman, if it were not
that there may be a question between her and her mother."

"You are enthusiastic," said Lady Mary Quin, and after that the letter
to Scroope was written.

In the meantime the seal-skin was cured,--not perhaps in the very best
fashion, and was sent up to Miss O'Hara, with Mr. Neville's compliments.
The skin of a seal that has been shot by the man and not purchased is a
present that any lady may receive from any gentleman. The most prudent
mamma that ever watched over her dovecote with Argus eyes, permitting no
touch of gallantry to come near it, could hardly insist that a seal-skin
in the rough should be sent back to the donor. Mrs. O'Hara was by no
means that most prudent mamma, and made, not only the seal-skin, but the
donor also welcome. Must it not be that by some chance advent such as
this that the change must be effected in her girl's life, should any
change ever be made? And her girl was good. Why should she fear for her?
The man had been brought there by her only friend, the priest, and why
should she fear him? And yet she did fear; and though her face was
never clouded when her girl spoke of the new comer, though she always
mentioned Captain Neville's name as though she herself liked the man,
though she even was gracious to him when he shewed himself near the
cottage,--still there was a deep dread upon her when her eyes rested
upon him, when her thoughts flew to him. Men are wolves to women, and
utterly merciless when feeding high their lust. 'Twas thus her own