drew near together.

"Tell her everything."

"But, Patrick--"

"I will take him off with me if I can." And then they were all
together, standing in the road.

"I was coming to obey your behests, Lady Desmond," said Fitzgerald,
trying to look and speak as though he were at his ease.

"Coming rather tardily, I think," said her ladyship, not altogether
playfully.

"I told him you wanted him, as we were crossing to the house," said
the earl. "Didn't I, Owen?"

"Is anything the matter with Clara?" said Lady Desmond, looking at
her daughter.

"No, mamma," said Clara; and she instantly began to sob and cry.

"What is it, sir?" And as she asked she turned to Fitzgerald; and
her manner now at least had in it nothing playful.

"Lady Clara is nervous and hysterical. The excitement of the ball
has perhaps been too much for her. I think, Lady Desmond, if you
were to take her in with you it would be well."