THE LAST RIDE TOGETHER Durrance, meanwhile, walked to his lodging alone, remembering a day, now two years since, when by a curious whim of old Dermod Eustace he had been fetched against his will to the house by the Lennon River in Donegal, and there, to his surprise, had been made acquainted with Dermod's daughter Ethne.

For she surprised all who had first held speech with the father.

Durrance had stayed for a night in the house, and through that evening she had played upon her violin, seated with her back toward her audience, as was her custom when she played, lest a look or a gesture should interrupt the concentration of her thoughts.

The melodies which she had played rang in his ears now.

For the girl possessed the gift of music, and the strings of her violin spoke to the questions of her bow.