The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1877-05-20
assrnlng Star and Catholic Messenger.
RHW OGLnAns, SUNDAY. MAY 30, 1871,
THE LADY
N EVILLE COURT.
THE LADY
4 TALE OF THE TIMES.
(Contipued.l
CHAPTER XI.


Gay as Richard O'Meara had shown himself
during dinner, he had nevertheless been all
dsy long in an uuwouted state of perturbation.
For the lawyer he had consulted in Dublin,
after carefully considering each of the cases he
had laid before him, had that morning given
is as his opinion that, although each one was
sufficient to establish Colquhoun's moral guilt,
I the evidence of the whole was insufficient to
convict him In q court of justice. He however
advised him, as n friend, quietly to draw Miss
Nsv:iis,s attention 70 Gnlgnhenns yAriens
acts of tyranny and cruelty, and let them
speak for themselves, warning him at the
same time to be very cautious, since to tamper
with the moral guilt of rogue as sharp
Colquhoun would be as arduons an enterprise
% to attempt to guide = ship through foe of
The Doctor had paid his fee, and thanked
the man of law for his advice, but he had left
his offioe very much orestfallen for besides
the Gas BY the he
frat was, how to reach Miss Neville for such
purpose ss this, seeing that she was to remain
her uncle Edward's guest for six months,
hut would, he knew, highly resent the interfe-
rence of Q stranger In the management of the
estate. The second question was, supposiug
Was you'd Ss to be-
likef In all probability Neville to her
finger tips, o cold. Prond. reserved Young
yoman, who would highly appreciate Mr..
Colquhoun'a aptitude for squeezing money ont
of the estate, and leaving its owner In peace.
All day long he had revolved the question,
with It's threefold diMculty, in his mind, but
when he had Numbered up to Neville Court in
Jerry's poetchsise, az when he had quilted
Dublin in the morning. Little did he dream
OF the magical turn that Dame Fortune in
tended to give her wheel that evening in his
behoof.
That labyrinthodon's tooth is an item well
worthy of respect and consideration we are
fully prepared TO admit, but we question very
lnhurinthOdnu all
have received much attention from Richard
CMeAra, IL he had stood that night by the
side Of Maude Neville. What the party in the
dining-room said to the non. appearance of the
messenger, We know net but very certain it
10 that he returned no more. He sat instead,
lost In delicious dream, half happiness, half
sadness, still striving to realize the truth of
the vision, as the bright young face before
him flashed its radiance over o spot foe him 80
long only haunted by the CHESTS of the past.
AZ 10 Maude hersslf, the deep longing wish
only had she found one who had known her
mother, but one who seemed still to love her
memory, almost "a dearly as she did herself
one, moreover, who had known her in the most
intimate relationships of life. For nearly an
hour Mauds asked question after question
of hor new iSiend, with q delight only equal
led by his replying to them, nor was the sub
iect changed until Fanny (not perhaps quite
as deeply interested in it as her companion)
made remark upon one of the paintings on
the opposite wall. This led to tour Of the
oRertsnonG, during WniCn the DOCTOR explained
the subjects of the paintings, opened the cabi-
nets, and, riding baskets, brought to light
twenty things they would never have discov-
cred themselves. Then, though Fanny still
continued her examination, the doctor and
Gaude returned TO their seats, when the latter
coon bBgRmo highly intersAted in the glowing
account he gave her Of the people among
ike this @ idea Of the tsnants = feast on ST.
Patriok's day." eaid Maude. "Whas pity it
copea ln Lent"
"It is drawbeck, certainly, but one that
hes been In existence long enough to grow in
TO o matter Of oourse," he added, smilipg.
"This year, however, it will matter compa-
EAtively little, for tomorrow 10 not an Absti-
nence day, and as to fasting-very few work.
ing people do that. Though even If it we're
otherwise, can assure yen an lrisnman would
znunch dry crust with the best possible good
humor for hie conscience sake. But am very
glad that to.morroW will be Q jour gras, for to
watch your guests enjoyment of their roast
beef will be by no means the least enjoyable
part Of the evening"
I" Is this dance on St. Patrioks night an old
institution T asked MRude.
Every; 1t evidently dates back to the period
when your family was Catholic one-thouRb,
by the by, after all, this is only to the time of
your paternal great-great graud father"
Was he q Catholic - asked Maude, looking
very much surprised.
"Yes, aud all his children also except his
youngest son. who became Protestant, aud
who seems to have had q better reason for en-
bracing new faith thaa he could have given
for abandoning the old one;" and the doctors
cheeks kindled as he spoke.
"Aud what was that 7" asked Maude.
"The manor of Neville Court" replied the
doctor "You must know, my dear Miss Ne
Vile, that among other acts of tyranny ex-
Arcised by England over her weaker sister W as
that of passing an iniquitous law by which o
younger son could succeed to an estate, to the
prejudice of an elder, If he chose to abjure the
Catholic religion and become Protestant.
Now this is precisely what your ancestor Mi
chGsl Neville did"
sand why should he mott asked Fanny. 81
know you were very well pleased when your old
friend Professor Broadview became Cath olio,
90 why Should yOu blame our old ancestor for
turninR the other wayf No doubt he acted
1rnm conviction, poor man."
I" / am sorry to say, Miss Fanny, that, I'M
like the rest of his family, who were noted for
their piety. Sir Michael Neville was q man with
whom religions convictions would not be like
y to h0ve much weight. He was q gambler,
. sPendthrift, and q ToaS, and died Gt last by
his own hand in . At of drunken despair"
"Bsaides," said Maudo, "Would he have sup
planted his brother had his conversion been
gOnuinef Would not Protestantism have
taught him that such an action was black
iDi9stico, however lawful ON iniQuitous Law
might render it 2"