The illusion of objectivity which he so successfully achieves is due
to the fact that his mind was so perfectly contented with its
hereditary and circumstantial conditions, was itself so perfectly
the mental equivalent of those conditions. Thus the perfection of
his egotism, tight as a drum, saved him. Had it been a little less
complete, he would have faltered and bungled; as it was, he had the
naive certainty of a child, to whose innocent apprehension the world
and self are one, and who therefore I cannot err.

ALGAR THOROLD.






CONTENTS





I. The Barony of Desmond

II. Owen Fitzgerald

III. Clara Desmond

IV. The Countess