The most prudent mamma that ever watched over her dovecote with Argus eyes, permitting no touch of gallantry to come near it, could hardly insist that a seal-skin in the rough should be sent back to the donor.

Mrs.O'Hara was by no means that most prudent mamma, and made, not only the seal-skin, but the donor also welcome.

Must it not be that by some chance advent such as this that the change must be effected in her girl's life, should any change ever be made?
And her girl was good.

Why should she fear for her?
The man had been brought there by her only friend, the priest, and why should she fear him?
And yet she did fear; and though her face was never clouded when her girl spoke of the new comer, though she always mentioned Captain Neville's name as though she herself liked the man, though she even was gracious to him when he shewed himself near the cottage,--still there was a deep dread upon her when her eyes rested upon him, when her thoughts flew to him.

Men are wolves to women, and utterly merciless when feeding high their lust.