thither--I desire to become acquainted with it--because it is the
country in which my father's property lies, and from which we draw our
subsistence."

"Subsistence! Lord bless me, what a word! fitter for a pauper than
a nobleman--subsistence! Then, if you are going to look after your
father's property, I hope you will make the agents do their duty, and
send us remittances. And pray how long do you mean to stay?"

"Till I am of age, madam, if you have no objection. I will spend the
ensuing months in travelling in Ireland; and I will return here by the
time I am of age, unless you and my father should, before that time,
be in Ireland."

"Not the least chance of that, if I can prevent it, I promise you,"
said Lady Clonbrony.

Lord Colambre and Miss Nugent sighed.

"And I am sure I shall take it very unkindly of you, Colambre, if you
go and turn out a partisan for Ireland, after all, like Grace Nugent."

"A partisan! no;--I hope not a partisan, but a friend," said Miss
Nugent.

"Nonsense, child!--I hate to hear people, women especially, and young
ladies particularly, talk of being friends to this country or that
country. What can they know about countries? Better think of being
friends to themselves, and friends to their friends."