Then there came a short note from Mrs.O'Hara herself.
"I must beg that you will come to Ardkill at once.

It is absolutely necessary for Kate's safety that you should do so." When he received this he thought that he would go on the morrow.

When the morrow came he determined to postpone the journey another day! The calls of duty are so much less imperious than those of pleasure! On that further day he still meant to go, as he sat about noon unbraced, only.
partly dressed in his room at the barracks.

His friend Johnstone was back in Ennis, and there was also a Cornet with the troop.

He had no excuse whatever on the score of military duty for remaining at home on that day.