CHAPTER XXVII—(Continued.)

New Zealand Tablet, Volume VII, Issue 341, 31 October 1879, Page 7

CHAPTER XXVll— ( Continued.)

All the dignity of the Nevilles was concentrated in Maude's gracious acceptance of the gift. She called her new possession gently to her side, and never in her life had she petted Looloo more quietly than she now twined her fingers in Bat's silken fringes. "As Father Donovan had expected, Mr. Neville was deeply grieved and soiely puzzled by his friend's departure ; but, accustomed as the worthy father was to dive into hearts and read countenances, he could not tell, for the life of him, how that departure affected the niece. She expressed a very simple and natural concern that her people should lose a friend who so thoroughly understood and appreciated them as Dr. O'Meara ; then once again she fixed her eyes upon her work, only occasionally pausing to make a few observations on certain events of their visit to London. Even after the gentlemen had retired to Mr. Neville's study to look at some books he had brought home, she still stitched resolutely away, as though no other thought, save her needle occupied her mind. Suddenly, however, raising her eyes, they encountered Bat standing in the middle of the room, with his tail drooping like the feathers of a hearse, and his ears thrown back as though listening for a step, perhaps never to be heard again. It was too much for her stoicism, and calling the animal to her "side, she slipped from her chair, and burying her face in his long hail, she exclaimed in a tone of bitterest anguish, " 0 Bat, Bat, how could you let him go ? "