XI. How Geoffrey returns to his allegiance-how he discovers his divinity deep in the performance of some mystic rites within the cool precincts of her XII. How Geoffrey tells home secrets, and how Mona comments thereon-how death stalks rampant in their path-and how, though Geoffrey declines to 'run away,' he still lives to fight another base threat, carries his point XIV. How Geoffrey writes a letter that possesses all the XVII. How Mona rises betimes-and how she encounters a stranger amidst the morning dews. XVIII. How old Sir George hated his first-born-and how XIX. How fate deals harshly with Mona, and how she droops-as might a flower-beneath its unkindly XX. How Mona dances a country dance before a hyper- XXIII. How Mona interviews the Duchess-and how she sustains conversation with the Rodneys' evil XXIV. How the cloud gathers-and how Nicholas and Dorothy have their bad quarter of an hour. XXV. How discussion waxes rife-and how Nicholas, having made a suggestion that is bitter to the XXVI. How Mona goes to Anadale—and how she there sees many things as yet to her unknown XXVII. How Mona takes a walk abroad-and how she asks cross questions and receives crooked answers XXIX. How Geoffrey dines out-and how Mona fares XXX. How Mona, ghostlike, flits through the old Towers at midnight-how the moon lights her way- XXXI. How Mona stands her ground-how Paul Rodney becomes her prisoner-and how Geoffrey on his return home meets with a warm reception . 317 XXXIV. How the Rodneys make merry over the secret panel-how Geoffrey questions Mona-and how, XXXVIII. How Nolly declines to repeat his story-how Jack Rodney tells one instead-and how they MRS. GEOFFREY. 30 CHAPTER I. HOW GEOFFREY DECLARES HIS INTENTION OF SPENDING THE 'I DON'T See why I shouldn't put in a month there very comfortably,' says Geoffrey indolently, pulling the ears of a pretty, saucy little fat terrier that sits blinking at him, with brown eyes full of love, on a chair close by. And it will be something new to go to Ireland, at all events. It is rather out of the running these times, so probably will prove interesting; and at least there is a chance that one won't meet every town acquaintance round every corner! That's the worry of going abroad. and I'm heartily sick of the whole thing.' 6 You will get murdered,' says his mother, quite as indolently, half opening her eyes, which are grey as Geoffrey's own. They always kill people, with things they call pikes, or burn them out of house and home, over there, without either rhyme or reason.' "They certainly must be a lively lot, if all one hears is true,' says Geoffrey with a suppressed yawn. 'You are not really going there, Geoff?' 'Yes, really.' 'To what part of Ireland?' "Somewhere beyond Bantry-you have heard of Bantry Bay?' B 'Oh, I daresay! I am not sure,' says Lady Rodney, pettishly, who is rather annoyed at the idea of his going to Ireland, having other plans in view for him. 'Ever heard of Botany Bay?' asks he idly; but this question being distinctly frivolous, she takes no notice of it. Well, it's in Ireland,' he goes on, after a slight, but dignified pause. You have heard of the Emerald Isle, I suppose? It's the country where they grow potatoes, and say "bedad"; and Bantry is somewhere south, I think. I'm never very sure about any thing-that's one of my charms.' 'A very doubtful charm.' 'The name of the place I mean to stay at-my own actual property-is called Coolnagurtheen,' goes on Geoffrey, heedless of her censure. 'I always said you were clever,' says his mother languidly; now I believe it. I don't think if I lived for ever I should be able to pronounce such a sad word as that. Do-do the natives speak like that?' 6 I'll tell you when I come back,' says Geoffrey'if I ever do!' 'So stupid of your uncle to leave you a property in such a country!' says Lady Rodney discontentedly. 'But very like him, certainly. He was never happy unless he was buying land in some uninhabitable place. There was that farm in Wallachia--your cousin Jane nearly died of chagrin when she found it was left to her, and the lawyers told her she should take it, whether she liked it or not. Wallachia! I don't know where it is, but I am sure it is close to the " Bulgarian atrocities"!' "Our "pretty Jane," on occasions, can talk as much nonsense as-as any woman I ever met,' says Geoffrey -the hesitation being full of filial reverence; ' and that may be called, I think, unqualified praise.' |