"Mr. Kennyf.e.c.k!" said his spouse, with a voice of command; "I vow he is deafer every day--Mr. Kennyf.e.c.k, you must call on Mr. Cashel this morning, and say that we really cannot think of inflicting him with an entire family; that you and I alone--or you and Olivia--"

"No--no, Mr. Kennyf.e.c.k and Caroline," interposed Aunt f.a.n.n.y, "say that."

"Thanks for the preference," said Miss Kennyf.e.c.k, with a short nod, "I am to play lightning-conductor; isn't it so?"

"Or shall I propose going alone?" interposed Mr. Kennyf.e.c.k, in all the solemnity of self-importance.

"Is n't he too bad?" exclaimed his wife, turning to the others; "did you ever conceive there could be anything as dull as that man? We cannot trust you with any part of the transaction."

"Here comes Mr. Cashel himself," said Miss Kennyf.e.c.k; as a phaeton drove rapidly to the door, and Cashel, accompanied by a friend, descended.

"Not a word of what we were speaking, Mr. Kennyf.e.c.k!" said his wife, sternly, for she reposed slight reliance on his tact.

"Who is with him?" whispered Olivia to her sister; but not heeding the question, Miss Kennyf.e.c.k said,--

"Take _my_ advice, Livy, and get rid of your duenna. You 'll play your own game better."

Before there was time for rejoinder, Lord Charles Frobisher and Cashel entered the drawing-room.

"You received my note, I hope, Mrs. Kennyf.e.c.k," said Roland, as he accepted her cordially offered hand. "I only this morning got Linton's last bulletin, and immediately wrote off to tell you."

"That _is_ significant," whispered Miss Kennyf.e.c.k to Olivia. "To give _us_ the earliest intelligence."

"I trust the announcement is not too abrupt."

"Of course not,--our only scruple is, the largeness of our party. We are really shocked at the notion of inflicting an entire family upon you."

"Beware the Bear," whispered Lord C., in a very adroit undertone,--"don't invite the aunt."

"My poor house will only be the more honored," said Cashel, bowing, and sorely puzzled how to act.

"You'll have a very numerous muster, Cashel, I fancy," said Lord Charles, aloud; "not to speak of the invited, but those 'Umbrae,' as the Romans call them, who follow in the suite of such fascinating people as Mrs. White."

"Not one too many, if there be but room for them; my anxiety is, that my personal friends should not be worst off, and I have come to beg, if not inconvenient, that you would start from this on Tuesday."

"Do you contract to bring us all down?" said Frobisher. "I really think you ought; the geography of that district is not very familiar to most of us. What says Miss Kennyf.e.c.k?"

"I like everything that promises pleasure and amus.e.m.e.nt."

"What says her sister?" whispered Cashel to Olivia.

"How do you mean to travel, Mr. Cashel?" said she, in a tone which might be construed into perfect artlessness or the most intense interest.

"With you--if you permit," said Cashel, in a low voice. "I have been thinking of asking Mrs. Kennyf.e.c.k if she would like to go down by sea, and sail up the Shannon. My yacht has just arrived."

"Mamma cannot bear the water, or it would be delightful," said Olivia.

"Cannot we manage a lady patroness, then?" said Cashel; "would Miss O'Hara kindly consent?"

"Aunt f.a.n.n.y, Mr. Cashel wishes to speak to you."

"Gare la tante!" said Frobisher, between his teeth.

"We were speaking--or rather, I was expressing a hope," said Cashel, diffidently, "that a yacht excursion round the southern coast, and so up the Shannon, might not be an inappropriate way of reaching Tubbermore.

Would Miss O'Hara feel any objection to be of the party?"

"With Caroline and me," said Olivia, innocently.

Miss O'Hara smiled, and shook her head doubtfully.

"It is very tempting, Mr. Cashel,--too tempting, indeed; but it requires consideration. May I speak a word with you?" And so saying, she withdrew with Cashel into a window recess.

The interview was brief; but as they returned to the circle, Cashel was heard to say,--

"I am really the worst man in the world to solve such difficulties, for in my ignorance of all forms, I incur the risk of undervaluing them; but if you thought by my inviting Lord and Lady Kilgoff--"

"Oh, by no means. My sister would never consent to that. But I will just confer with her for an instant."

"If the Kilgoff s are asked, it spoils all," said Mrs. Kennyf.e.c.k, in reply to a whispered communication of her sister.

"I'll manage that," said Aunt f.a.n.n.y; "I half hinted you did n't like the companionship for the girls."

"He'll invite Mrs. Leicester White, or Lady Janet, perhaps."

"He sha'n't. I 'll take the whole upon myself."

"You _have_ done it, I see," said Frobisher, coming close to Cashel, and affecting to examine his watch-guard; "and I warned you, notwithstanding."

"What could I do?" said Cashel, hopelessly.

"What you must do later on," said Lord Charles, coolly; "cut the whole concern altogether."

"Have you invited the Dean, Mr. Cashel?" interposed Mrs. Kennyf.e.c.k.

"I really cannot inform you, madam. There has been so much confusion--Linton promising to do everything, and ask everybody; but the omission--if such--"

"Should be left where it is," muttered Frobisher.

"How long should we probably be on the voyage, Mr. Cashel?" asked Miss O'Hara.

"Three--four--or five days--perhaps more."

"I 'll give you a month's sail, and back 'Time' after all," said Lord Charles.

"Oh, that is out of the question; we couldn't think of such an excursion," said Aunt f.a.n.n.y.

Olivia cast a most imploring look on her aunt, and was silent.

"Another point, Mr. Cashel," said Miss O'Hara, speaking in a very low whisper; "my sister, who is so particular about her girls,--you know how they have been brought up, so rigidly, and so carefully,--she is afraid of that kind of intimacy that might possibly grow up between them and--and--" Here she came to a full stop. "Did n't I hear you speak of Lady Kilgoff?"