Her bright, keen eyes roamed over the opposite group in searching scrutiny. Old Shane's description of its members had been accarate. The Countess, in a drag gled habit, a battered hat and general dis array, did look like a mad woman, as she .rode up and down tbe steep bank, her restless, glittering eyes looking eagerly for some spot where she might attempt a mad leap The new E »rl was furious with rage, and was crying out in a loud, shrill Michael Kildare, s*oft aD d gentle and dap per as usual, was trying, in vain, to soothe the excitement of his noble client. Sir Russel and Mr. Wedburn were talking to gether privately and a little apart. As the Lady Nora rode up to the oppo site bank, Sir Russel rode forward also to the brink of the Cutoff. His florid face was set in a stern, uncompromising ex pression. He looked angry, annoyed, and indignant, and indeed he was all of these. In reply to the Lady Nora's bow, he in clined his head coldly, and then exclaimed harshly : " What is the meaning of this wretched farce, Nora? You voluntarily retired from Kildare Castle to give place to its rightful owner, and yet I find you here again, usurping Lord Kildare's rights, and creeping like a thief into his houae while he is absent. Is this conduct becoming a lady ? Is it becoming a daughter of the' house of Kildare ? I am shocked and mortified. ..If I had ever deemed you capable of such conduct I should have de clined, despite my friendship for your late father, to become your guardian." The Lady Nora's cheek's reddened. "You have beard but one side of tbe story," she answered. " These friends will testify to the justice of my cause " Sir Russel sneered; " And what may their opinion in the case be worth ?" he cried furiously. " Tour lover, Wild Larry, is a penniless fellow, who is ready for any excitement or sensatim. And the Lady Kathleen must be a fi; Ling adviser, she who eloped with and married a man, Satan knows who ! Your present course is illegal, indelicate, and absnrd. 