But he had been seen with them often enough, and the story had become sufficiently current at Liscannor to make Lady Mary Quin think that she was justified in sending her bad news to her friend Lady Scroope.

This she did not do till Fred had been induced, with some difficulty, to pass a night at Castle Quin.

Lady Mary had not scrupled to ask a question about Miss O'Hara, and had thought the answer very unsatisfactory.

"I don't know what makes them live there, I'm sure.

I should have thought you would have known that," replied Neville, in answer to her question.
"They are perfect mysteries to us," said Lady Mary.
"I think that Miss O'Hara is the prettiest girl I ever saw in my life," said Fred boldly, "and I should say the handsomest woman, if it were not that there may be a question between her and her mother." "You are enthusiastic," said Lady Mary Quin, and after that the letter to Scroope was written.
In the meantime the seal-skin was cured,--not perhaps in the very best fashion, and was sent up to Miss O'Hara, with Mr.Neville's compliments.
The skin of a seal that has been shot by the man and not purchased is a present that any lady may receive from any gentleman.