"You come along with us, Dommy, boy," said Daisy.
"Thanks; but I would not lose the pleasure of Maureen's singing for the world."
"You call that singing?" said Henrietta. "I call it the squealing of a cat."
"Thanks. You will perhaps allow me to retain my opinion. Don't laugh again when something beautiful is being done."
Maureen was singing "Those Evening Bells" when he went back to her. Her eyes were wonderfully soft and bright, and the Colonel patted her on the shoulder and kissed her on the cheek when he went away.
"We'll have a long ride to-morrow, girleen," he said. "You and I and Fergus and Fly-away. I'll call for you early, for I want to go a good long way; and, oh, by the way, Rector, may Maureen dine with me at Rathclaren to-morrow night? I can send the horse back by the groom, and will bring the child back in my motor-car in time for bed."
"Certainly. You would like that, Maureen," said the Rector.
"Oh, yes," said the little girl. "I should love it."