imed my companion, still trembling.

Lord Edward! I had heard of him before. It was he whose letter I had
carried four years ago to Depute Duport on behalf of the unfortunate
Sillery; and it was he on whom just now the eyes of all Irish rebels
were turned for guidance and hope in the desperate enterprise on which
they were embarked.

There was something fascinating in his open frank countenance and the
half reckless, joyous air with which he carried himself. The assembly,
which, till he arrived, had been sombre and mysterious, lit up under his
presence into enthusiasm and eagerness.

He had news to give and receive; and as I sat and listened I came to
learn more of the state of Ireland in half-an-hour than a week in Dublin
would have taught me.

The fuel was ready for the torch. The United Irishmen were organised
and drilled in every county. The English garrison was becoming day by
day more slack and contemptible. What traitors there were were known
and marked. The dawn was in the sky. A little more patience, a little
more sacrifice, a little more self-restraint, and the hour of Ireland's
liberty would soon strike.

But it was not in generalities like these that the speaker moved my
admiration most. It was when the meeting came to consider the state of
the rebel organisation in various parts that the soldier and general
shone out in him, and convinced me that if any man could carry the
movement through he would. The present meeting, as I understood,
consisted of delegates from the north, where people were beginning to
grow impatient for the signal to rise; and where, as some one boasted,
one hundred thousand men were ready even now to move on Dublin and drive
the English garrison into the sea.

"What of the Donegal men?" inquired Lord Edward, looking at a paper
before him. "I see there is a question of treachery there."

"By your lordship's leave," said my companion, starting up, "I denounce
Maurice Gorman of Knockowen as a traitor to the cause. He has been in
Dublin within the last week in conference at the Castle."

Lord Edward's brow clouded.

"Was it not through him the Donegal men got their arms?"

"It was; and it's through him many of them have lost them, for he's as
busy now disarming as he was a few years back arming."

"What is the reason of the change?"

"Money, my lord. He's grown a rich man; he must keep in with the
government, or his estates will be taken."

Lord Edward shrugged