It seemed to him like a revival of the past to hear of the world, that gay world of feasting and enjoyment, of which for so many years he had known nothing; and here he was back in it again, and with grander company and higher names than he ever remembered.

'Why was not Kate like her ?' would he mutter over and over to himself.

Kate was a good girl, fine-tempered and happy-hearted, but she had no accomplishments, none of those refinements of the other.

If he wanted to present her at 'the Castle' one of these days, he did not know if she would have tact enough for the ordeal; but Nina!--Nina was sure to make an actual sensation, as much by her grace and her style as by her beauty.

Kearney never came into the room where she was without being struck by the elegance of her demeanour, the way she would rise to receive him, her step, her carriage, the very disposal of her drapery as she sat; the modulated tone of her voice, and a sort of purring satisfaction as she took his hand and heard his praises of her, spread like a charm over him, so that he never knew how the time slipped by as he sat beside her.
Have you ever written to your father since you came here ?' asked he one day as they talked together.
'Yes, sir; and yesterday I got a letter from him.