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N； and will； with your permission；
immediately rejoin you。'
He bowed； and walking rapidly on； was
in a few moments beside the object of his
and his patron's uneasiness。
Whatever Heathcote's object might be；
he certainly had not yet declared the secret；
whose safety O'Mara had so naturally
desired； for Captain N appeared in
good spirits； and on coming up to his
sister and her companion； he joined them
for a moment； telling O'Mara； laughingly；
that an old quiz had come from the country
for the express purpose of telling tales； as
it was to be supposed； of him （young
O'Mara）； in whose neighbourhood he
lived。
During this speech it required all the
effort which it was possible to exert to
prevent O'Mara's betraying the extreme
agitation to which his situation gave rise。
Captain N； however； suspected no…
thing； and passed on without further
delay。
Dinner was an early meal in those days；
and Lady Emily was obliged to leave the
Park in less than half an hour after the
unpleasant meeting which we have just
mentioned。
Young O'Mara and； at a sign from
him； Dwyer having escorted the lady
to the door of Colonel O'Mara's house；
pretended an engagement； and departed
together。
Richard O'Mara instantly questioned
his comrade upon the subject of his
anxiety； but Dwyer had nothing to
communicate of a satisfactory nature。 He
had only time； while the captain had been
engaged with Lady Emily and her
companion； to say to Heathcote：
'Be secret； as you value your existence：
everything will be right； if you be but
secret。'
To this Heathcote had replied： 'Never
fear me； I understand what I am
about。'
This was said in such an ambiguous
manner that it was impossible to conjecture
whether he intended or not to act upon
Dwyer's exhortation。 The conclusion
which appeared most natural； was by no
means an agreeable one。
It was much to be feared that Heathcote
having heard some vague report of
O'Mara's engagement with Lady Emily；
perhaps exaggerated； by the repetition；
into a speedily approaching marriage； had
become alarmed for his daughter's interest；
and had taken this decisive step in order
to prevent； by a disclosure of the circumstances
of his clandestine union with Ellen；
the possibility of his completing a guilty
alliance with Captain N's sister。 If
he entertained the suspicions which they
attributed to him； he had certainly taken
the most effectual means to prevent their
being realised。 Whatever his object might
be； his presence in Dublin； in company
with Captain N； boded nothing good
to O'Mara。
They entered 's tavern； in Dame
Street； together； and there； over a hasty
and by no means a comfortable meal； they
talked over their plans and conjectures。
Evening closed in； and found them still
closeted together； with nothing to interrupt；
and a large tankard of claret to sustain
their desultory conversation。
Nothing had been determined upon；
except that Dwyer and O'Mara should
proceed under cover of the darkness to
search the town for Heathcote； and by
minute inquiries at the most frequented
houses of entertainment； to ascertain his
place of residence； in order to procuring a
full and explanatory interview with him。
They had each filled their last glass； and
were sipping it slowly； seated with their
feet stretched towards a bright cheerful
fire； the small table which sustained the
flagon of which we have spoken； together
with two pair of wax candles； placed
between them； so as to afford a convenient
resting…place for the long glasses out of
which they drank。
'One good result； at all events； will be
effected by Heathcote's visit；' said O'Mara。
'Before twenty…four hours I shall do that
which I should have done long ago。 I
shall； without reserve； state everything。
I can no longer endure this suspensethis
dishonourable secrecythis apparent
dissimulation。 Every moment I have passed
since my departure from the country has
been one of embarrassment； of pain； of
humiliation。 To…morrow I will brave
the storm； whether successfully or not is
doubtful； but I had rather walk the high
roads a beggar； than submit a day longer
to be made the degraded sport of every
accidentthe miserable dependent upon a
successful system of deception。 Though
PASSIVE deception； it is still unmanly；
unworthy； unjustifiable deception。 I
cannot bear to think of it。 I despise myself；
but I will cease to be the despicable thing
I have become。 To…morrow sees me free；
and this harassing subject for ever at
rest。'
He was interrupted here by the sound
of footsteps heavily but rapidly ascending
the tavern staircase。 The room door
opened； and Captain N； accompanied
by a fashionably…attired young man；
entered the room。
Young O'Mara had risen from his seat
on the entrance of their unexpected
visitants； and the moment Captain N
recognised his person； an evident and
ominous change passed over his countenance。
He turned hastily to withdraw； but；
as it seemed； almost instantly changed his
mind； for he turned again abruptly。
'This chamber is engaged； sir；' said the
waiter。
'Leave the room； sir；' was his only
reply。
'The room is engaged； sir；' repeated the
waiter； probably believing that his first
suggestion had been unheard。
'Leave the room； or go to hell！' shouted
Captain N； at the same time seizing
the astounded waiter by the shoulder； he
hurled him headlong into the passage；
and flung the door to with a crash that
shook the walls。 'Sir；' continued he；
addressing himself to O'Mara； 'I did not
hope to have met you until to…morrow。
Fortune has been kind to medraw； and
defend yourself。'
At the same time he drew his sword；
and placed himself in an attitude of
attack。
'I will not draw upon YOU；' said O'Mara。
'I have； indeed； wronged you。 I have
given you just cause for resentment； but
against your life I will never lift my
hand。'
'You are a coward； sir；' replied Captain
N； with almost frightful vehemence；
'as every trickster and swindler IS。 You
are a contemptible dastarda despicable；
damned villain！ Draw your sword； sir；
and defend your life； or every post
and pillar in this town shall tell your
infamy。'
'Perhaps；' said his friend； with a sneer；
'the gentleman can do better without his
honour than without his wife。'
'Yes；' shouted the captain； 'his wife
a trulla common'
'Silence； sir！' cried O'Mara； all the
fierceness of his nature roused by this last
insult'your object is gained； your blood
be upon your own head。' At the same
time he sprang across a bench which stood
in his way； and pushing aside the table
which supported the lights； in an instant
their swords crossed； and they were
engaged in close and deadly strife。
Captain N was far the stronger of
the two； but； on the ot