It had almost been on Owen's lips to tell his friend, not only that he would be there, but what would be his intention when he got there.
He knew that the lad loved him well; and almost fancied that, earl as he was, he would favour his friend's suit.

But a feeling that Lord Desmond was only a boy, restrained him.

It would not be well to induce one so young to agree to an arrangement of which in after and more mature years he would so probably disapprove.
But not the less did Fitzgerald, as he drove home, determine that on the next day he would know something of his fate: and with this resolve he endeavoured to comfort himself as he drove up into his own avenue, and betook himself to his own solitary home..