Could it be possible, she asked herself, that such a man as Owen Fitzgerald should fall in love with such a girl as her daughter Clara?
"What shall I say to mamma ?" whispered Clara to him, as they all drew near together.
"Tell her everything." "But, Patrick--" "I will take him off with me if I can." And then they were all together, standing in the road.
"I was coming to obey your behests, Lady Desmond," said Fitzgerald, trying to look and speak as though he were at his ease.
"Coming rather tardily, I think," said her ladyship, not altogether playfully.
"I told him you wanted him, as we were crossing to the house," said the earl.

"Didn't I, Owen ?" "Is anything the matter with Clara ?" said Lady Desmond, looking at her daughter.
"No, mamma," said Clara; and she instantly began to sob and cry.
"What is it, sir ?" And as she asked she turned to Fitzgerald; and her manner now at least had in it nothing playful.
"Lady Clara is nervous and hysterical.

The excitement of the ball has perhaps been too much for her.

I think, Lady Desmond, if you were to take her in with you it would be well." Lady Desmond looked up at him; and he then saw, for the first time, that she could if she pleased look very stern.

Hitherto her face had always worn smiles, had at any rate always been pleasing when he had seen it.