The Novels of Charles Lever (Volume 36) (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1899. Excerpt: ... A faint smile was all Kate's answer. 'I cannot make you angry; I have done my best, and it has failed. I am utterly discomfited, and I 'll go to bed.' 'Good-night, ' said Kate, as she held out her hand. I wonder is it nice to have this angelic temperament--to be always right in one's judgments, and never carried away by passion? I half suspect perfection does not mean perfect happiness.' You shall tell me when you are married, ' said Kate, with a laugh; and Nina darted a flashing glance towards her, and swept out of the room. CHAPTER LXXVIII A MISERABLE MORNING It was not without considerable heart-sinking and misgiving that old Kearney heard it was Miss Betty O'Shea's desire to have some conversation with him after breakfast. He was, indeed, reassured, to a certain extent, by his daughter telling him that the old lady was excessively weak, and that her cough was almost incessant, and that she spoke with extreme difficulty. All the comfort that these assurances gave him was dashed by a settled conviction of Miss Betty's subtlety. 'She's like one of the wild foxes they have in Crim Tartary; and when you think they are dead, they're up and at you before you can look round.' He affirmed no more than the truth when he said that'he'd rather walk barefoot to Kilbeggan than go up that stair to see her.' There was a strange conflict in his mind all this time between these ignoble fears and the efforts he was making to seem considerate and gentle by Kate's assurance that a cruel word, or even a harsh tone, would be sure to kill her. 'You 'll have to be very careful, papa dearest, ' she said. 'Her nerves are completely shattered, and every respiration seems as if it would be the last.' Mistrust was, however so strong in him, that he would have employed any subterfug...