On  the  next  day,  however,  Clements  visited  the  castle  alone,
and  saw  Curlew,  who  received  him  much  more  warmly  than  he
either  anticipated  or  wished  :  he  told  him,  that  not  having  any
direct  communication  from  Lord  Strangeway  for  a  long  time,  he
had  called  upon  him,  as  a  matter  of  business,  to  learn  where  he
was.
Curlew  informed  him  that  he  was  then  in  London,  on  his  way
home,  whither  he  had  been  directed,  so  that  his  daughter,  who
was  ill,  he  feared  dying,  should  again  breathe  her  native  air.  He
stated  that  he  was  in  utter  ignorance  as  to  the  cause  of  his  lord-
ship having  so  hastily  left  Ireland,  and  his  resolution  never  to
return  ;  he  was  certain  that  that  resolution  would  have  been
strictly  adhered  to,  but  that  the  dangerous  state  of  his  daughter's
health  compelled  him  to  return.  Clements  heard  this  recital  with
considerable  interest  and  uneasiness  for  the  fate  of  Lady  Mary,
who  he  believed  would  fall  the  victim  of  her  father's  prejudices.
Hesaid  nothing  more  than  to  express  his  determination  to  proceed
to  London  to  meet  his  lordship  and  accompany  him  to  Ireland.
When  he  informed  Bob  of  the  result  of  his  inquiries,  he  was
in  an  ecstacy  of  delight,  firstf  rom  the  belief  that  Lady  Mary  was


336  BUB   NOKBERRY.
