Clydagh, and also of all the personal property of the late Sir Connor O'Brien-such as plate, jewels, houses, carriages, books, money in the stocks, &c. He has left you an unencumbered property-a rare thing now; particularly in your country, Miss O'Brien, let me tell you! In that country there are few estates free from debt; and I must say, Miss O'Brien, some credit is due to the old gentleman for having been so singular as to preserve his property from encumbrance.

Evelyn, though disgusted by his manner, had tried to listen calmly, but, unable to control herself when he thus coarsely mentioned the parent to whom she had been devotedly attached, burst into tears, and hastened out of the room before he had nearly finished all he would have said about her wealth and importance, and the future management of her property, which, for some time at least, would chiefly rest with himself.

Evelyn returned to the library in a short time, and felt relieved by finding there only her father and Mr. Stanley. "My young friend," said the latter, taking her hand, "I respect your feelings too much to congratulate you now on being heiress to so fine a property as that which has devolved to you; but I must express my sincere wishes not only that you may long enjoy it, but also that you may-as I anticipate from your disposition-make a good use of the wealth and influence thus intrusted to you!"

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"Thank you, thank you, Mr. Stanley. Indeed I hope I may-with my father's assistance," added she, turning timidly, yet affectionately, to Mr. Desmond, who, smiling tenderly, accepted the kindness without noticing her timidity-" and with your advice, too, Mr. Stanley," she added, sensible already of the difficulties arising from so many advisers. "As you are now my ward," said Mr. Stanley, you not only have a right to my best advice and assistance, but you may feel assured of my wish to promote your happiness as far as I can. I think, therefore, that the kindest thing I can do for you will be to solicit your father to act for me, and to give you that assistance and advice which his experience, as well as his affection, will render the more valuable. But till

we receive an answer to our communication to Mrs. Manvers, who is, you know, in a remote part of Cornwall, no plans can be finally settled."

Though Evelyn's spirit was subdued by grief, she felt indignant even now at the idea of being watched and governed by Mrs. Manvers, and secretly hoped that something might prevent her compliance with the desire expressed in Sir Connor's will. The same hope was secretly entertained also by Mr. Stanley, because he wished that Mr. Desmond might himself have the satisfaction of assisting him in the choice of a proper companion for his daughter.

In the mean time preparations were begun for Evelyn's removal to Ireland. Directions were written to the Irish agent to prepare Cromdarragh Castle for the reception of its young mistress. The books and all the other articles she wished to keep were packed up, and the house and furniture at Gwere prepared to be sold after her departure. Mr. Stanley proposed that Evelyn should travel with her father to Cromdarragh Castle, whither he and Mr. Driver would follow as soon as they had completed their business as executors at G.

At length the answer from Mrs. Manvers arrived: much to Evelyn's vexation she "accepted the office which her uncle had allotted to her," because she felt that it would be ungrateful to decline it; "yet fearful," she added, " of her incompetence for so important a trust." However, she could not immediately leave her present residence, and it would not be possible to join Miss O'Brien at Cromdarragh Castle for some weeks.

"I wish she would remain where she is I am sure I do not want her!" exclaimed Evelyn, on reading her letter.

Evelyn proposed that Mrs. Stanley and her daughter Violet should accompany Mr. Stanley to Ireland, and remain with her till Mrs. Manvers was at liberty; but Mrs. Stanley, judging it a favourable opportunity for her to become better acquainted with her father and his family, determined not to go to Ireland at present. It would have been natural for Evelyn to propose that Mrs. Desmond should meet her and her father at Cromdarragh Castle, and it did occur to her that

it would be proper; but her horror of a stepmother, and the peculiar prejudice which she knew her grandfather had felt towards Mrs. Desmond, instantly overcame the idea.

"I will be my own mistress as far as I can," thought she; "I want no companions nor directors. I shall be much happier alone with my father than I could be with a person whom I am sure I shall never like."

At last the day was appointed for the journey. Evelyn and her favourite companion, Violet Stanley, walked together for a long time the last evening, and formed many a plan and airy castle with that happy disposition to hope, which, even in the midst of sorrow, brightens the youthful view of the future. The parting with the Stanleys, whom she had known and loved since she was a little child, was painful; and she felt it the more deeply, because, notwithstanding her Irish pride of birth, she had acquired a considerable degree of contempt for the Irish, even of her own class.

The evening before her departure Evelyn took leave of those servants who were to be dismissed, enhancing, by the kindness of her manner, the value of her gifts to each. Jane, her valuable and faithful Irish maid, was still to continue in her service.

With many a pang of regret Evelyn left the place where she had passed her happy childhood. As she gave a last look at her garden-" I am going," thought she, "to a place and a people new to me-strangers to me-and I shall have new duties that I never thought of till lately: and so young, too! how shall I fulfil them? Ah, how happy and tranquil I have been with dear grandpapa till now!"

CHAPTER IV.

Evelyn travels with her Father The Bay of Dublin Arrival at Cromdarragh Castle — The O'Brien Cry - The old Housekeeper.

THE morning of Evelyn's departure from G- dawned brightly; and as she and Mr. Desmond drove through the neighbouring village, she thought it had never looked so beautiful.

Leaning out of the carriage window, she strained her eyes to take a last look of the ancient church where her grandfather was buried, till at length tears so dimmed her sight that she could not distinguish any object, and, sinking back into the corner, she sat for a long time in silence, thinking of the changes that had lately taken place.

She felt embarrassed by her present situation-travelling tête-à-tête with her father, whom she hardly knew, to whom she looked with awe, and whose affection she scarcely hoped to gain, having been so much separated from him in childhood. A confusion of fears, and fancies, and doubts distracted her mind—her natural pride strove with them-yet she made no attempt to speak to him.

Mr. Desmond also was silent for a long time, judiciously permitting her feelings to exhaust themselves, and anxious rather to study her disposition than to force her into conversation.

After some time, however, he began to try gradually to call her attention to the passing objects, with the hope of leading her dejected mind to some new subject.

Insensibly Evelyn became less timid and more cheerful, her reserve wore away, and before the close of the first day's journey she found herself conversing with her father unreservedly and at ease.

There are few parts of England which do not supply some

memorial of the history or of the customs of the olden time. At first, Mr. Desmond made no effort to direct her attention to such circumstances; but he perceived, as her mind began to develop itself, that, when he alluded to the events which gave interest to the places through which they passed, it was evident she had not read idly, nor without reflection. In many respects she seemed to have formed just views on the subjects of which he spoke.

When Evelyn found that her father conversed freely with her as a companion, she was gratified; and while he sometimes drew from her the knowledge she had acquired, or when by his conversation he excited a desire for more, her mind, unconsciously turned from the gloomy thoughts by which it had recently been occupied, easily yielded to the new ideas he suggested.

It was the character of her mind to rise with renewed elasticity after a painful pressure; and as her spirits were gradually revived by change of scene and by the gentle endeavours of her father to set her at ease with him, her former habits of observation and inquiry returned.

Having been taken to England at an early age, Evelyn had scarcely any recollection of Ireland, and few associations to endear it to her; but she loved it because it was her country, and from her grandfather she had imbibed a strong attachment to it; yet such is the inconsistency of human nature, that she despised the Irish gentry, supposing them ignorant and vulgar, and expected to see a country without cultivation or beauty. With a natural degree of curiosity she questioned her father about Cromdarragh Castle; but, unwilling to describe the place, lest she might anticipate too much, he gave slight answers to her inquiries.

A smooth passage across the Channel was a fortunate preparation for seeing everything in a favourable light. She was early on the deck; and as the Bay of Dublin opened on her view, the mountains gilded by the morning sun, and the waters sparkling in its rays, Evelyn was in ecstacy. Such a scene she had never beheld, and great was her astonishment that her father had said so little of its beauty!

Fresh surprise awaited her in Dublin, where they quickly