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As he was returning to Ennis Neville was so far removed from immediate distress as to be able to look forithout fear to hiswith the two ladies at Ardkill He could as yet take his Kate in his arms without any hard load upon his heart, such as would be there if he knew that it was incumbent upon him at once to explain his difficulties His uncle was still living, but was old and still ill He would naturally e and infirmities There was every reason why they should wait, and no reason why such waiting should bring reproaches upon his head On the night of his arrival at his quarters he despatched a note to his Kate

Dearest love

Here I aain in the land of freedo about home news, as I shall see you the day after to- I uns here After one on Wednesday I shall be free I will drive over to Lahinch, and coht, but I suppose it will be the next et so for my pains My love to your mother

Your own, F N

In accordance with this plan he did drive over to Lahinch Hethat his boat should come across the bay to meet him at Liscannor, but he felt that he would prefer not tohe would be driven to tell the priest a good deal, and to ask for the priest's assistance; but at present he was not anxious to see Father Marty Barney Morony aiting for him at the stable where he put up his horse, and went doith hi to Barney, were quite well and iven withoutabout the bush,--there was a rumour about Liscannor that Captain O'Hara had "turned up" Fred was so startled at this that he could not refrain fro his anxiety by the questions which he asked Barney did not seem to think that the Captain had been at Ardkill or anywhere in the neighbourhood At any rate he, Barney, had not seen him He had just heard the ru yer honour a lie; and they do be saying that the Captain one time was as fine awhat kind the young lady is, God bless her!" If it were true that Kate's father had "turned up," such an advent e the position of things as to relieve hiree from the force of his past promises