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Nothing further was said about the Fitzgeralds between her and her daughter, before they went to bed; and then Lady Desmond did speak a few futile words. "Clara," she said. "You had better think over what we have been saying, in bed to-night. You will be more collected to-morrow morning."
They had deputed George Paris, a kinsman of the Kildare Fitzgeralds, as their agent to the French King, in the latter days of Henry VIII., and had received two ambassadors on his behalf at Donegal and Dungannon.
"It's very soon after poor Harry Wyndham's death, to be receiving company," said Lady Selina, solemnly. "Really, mamma, I don't think it will be treating Fanny well to be asking all these people so soon. The O'Joscelyns, or the Fitzgeralds, are all very well just our own near neighbours; but don't you think, mamma, it's rather too soon to be asking a house-full of strange people?"
Clara and her mother saw nothing of each other early in the morning; they did not breakfast together, nor was there a word said between them on the subject of the Fitzgeralds. But Lady Desmond early in the morning early for her, that is sent her note also to Castle Richmond.
On the other hand, the leading county families, the O'Briens, McNamaras, Vandeleurs, Fitzgeralds and others, declared for their old favourite, Mr. Fitzgerald. He was personally much liked in the county; the son of a venerable anti-Unionist, the well-remembered Prime Sergeant, and a man besides of superior abilities.
O'hone, o'hone! but it's a bad day for us and for the childer, for where shall we find the dhrop to comfort us or the bit to ate when the sickness comes on us, as it's likely to come now, when the Fitzgeralds is out of the counthry. May the Lord bless them, and keep them, and presarve them, and the Holy Virgin have them in her keepin'!"
Here was a young man, well born "the Fitzgeralds, my dear, an Irish family, with royal blood in their veins" well-bred "most charming manners, I assure you, and so very good-looking" and engaged to one of the richest girls in Melbourne "pretty enough, madam, no doubt, but he wanted her money, sly dog;" and this young man, who had been petted by the ladies, voted a good fellow by the men, and was universally popular, both in drawing-room and club, had committed a vulgar murder it was truly shocking.
"Well, mamma," said Lady Selina, dutifully, "I'll not say another word about it; only let me know what you want me to do, and I'll do it. Who is it you mean to ask?" "Why, first of all, there's the Fitzgeralds: your father thinks that Lord and Lady George would come for a week or so, and you know the girls have been long talking of coming to Grey Abbey these two years I believe, and more."
"Did your friends the Fitzgeralds return with you?" inquired Mrs. Delano. "No," replied he. "They intend to remain until October, Good evening, ladies. I hope soon to have the pleasure of seeing you again." And with an inclination of the head toward Mr. Percival, he departed. "Why did you ask him that question?" said Flora. "Are you afraid of anything?"
He was the first Irish political leader of modern days who professed the faith which may be called the national creed of his people. The leaders of great Irish movements just before his time the Fitzgeralds, the Tones, and the Emmets had had been, like Grattan himself, members of the Established Church. O'Connell had, moreover, no sympathy whatever with the sentiments of the French Revolution.
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