No doubt his Kate would like to be the Countess Scroope,--would prefer that a future son of her own should be the future Earl.

But as he was ready to abandon so much, surely she would be ready to abandon something.

He must explain to her,--and to her mother,--that under no other circumstances could he marry her.

He must tell her of pledges made to his uncle before he knew her, of the duty which he owed to his family, and of his own great dislike to the kind of life which would await him as acting head of the family.

No doubt there would be scenes,--and his heart quailed as he remembered certain glances which had flashed upon him from the eyes of Mrs.O'Hara.