half an hour later father maloney was wending his way towards delancey castle.

“i’m thinking she’ll not altogether understand,” mused he ruefully, “but ’twas the child’s eyes of him, ’twas just that. though if he hasn’t a will at the back of them, my name’s not dan maloney.”

an hour later he was bearing a note in the direction of the white cottage. it was addressed to john mortimer, esq. it contained a sentence which may be of interest to you.

“please will you both wear morning dress at dinner on thursday.”

father maloney tramped along the road looking at the hedges and the trees. finally he raised his eyes to the sky.

“she’s a wonderful woman is lady mary!” he ejaculated, “a wonderful woman!”