of peace with him; or rather to a truce, under which there might
still be some friendship between them,--accompanied, however, by a
positive condition that Clara should be omitted from any
participation in it. She would have been willing to say, "Let all
this be forgotten, only for some time to come you and Clara cannot
meet each other." But Fitzgerald would by no means agree to such
terms; and the countess was obliged to leave his house, having in
effect only thrown down a gauntlet of battle; having in vain
attempted to extend over it an olive-branch of peace.

He helped her, however, into her little pony carriage, and at
parting she gave him her hand. He just touched it, and then, taking
off his hat, bowed courteously to her as she drove from his door.






CHAPTER V

THE FITZGERALDS OF CASTLE RICHMOND





What idea of carrying out his plans may have been prevalent in
Fitzgerald's mind when he was so defiant of the countess, it may be
difficult to say. Probably he had no idea, but felt at the spur of