He had ceased now to care much about seeing Father Marty, and would come, when the tide was low, direct from Lahinch to the strand beneath the cliffs, from whence there was a path through the rocks up to Ardkill.

And there he would remain for hours,--having his gun with him, but caring little for his gun.

He told himself that he loved the rocks and the wildness of the scenery, and the noise of the ocean, and the whirring of the birds above and below him.

It was certainly true that he loved Kate O'Hara.
"Neville, you must answer me a question," said the mother to him one morning when they were out together, looking down upon the Atlantic when the wind had lulled after a gale.
"Ask it then," said he.
"What is the meaning of all this?
What is Kate to believe ?" "Of course she believes that I love her better than all the world besides,--that she is more to me than all the world can give or take.

I have told her at least, so often, that if she does not believe it she is little better than a Jew." "You must not joke with me now.